Kids VT, September 2015

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✱ PARENTS WHO ROCK

✱ “REDSHIRTING” KINDERGARTENERS

✱ SCHOOL YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Dr. Jody Brakeley Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician

VT Department of Health

Child Development Clinic and Independent Practice, Middlebury

Superhero power: Empowering Vermonters to support children’s healthy development by helping any audience understand the complex workings of early brain development.

Good deeds done: addition to direct patient care, Dr. Brakeley works with families, educators, schools and the medical community to convey current information and develop a shared language about early brain development.

Dr. Jody says: “Brain science has seemed like rocket science, but it isn’t. We can all understand how young brains develop and use this knowledge to better support healthy development.”

Kathleen Fitzgerald Autism Interventionist

Children’s

Integrated Services-

Early Intervention, Vermont Family Network, Williston

Matthew LeFluer

Let’s Grow Kids Ambassador Alburgh

Superhero power: Connecting with children on their level. As a trained Let’s Grow Kids ambassador, Matt is highly effective at building awareness about the importance of the first years.

Good deeds done: When he’s not spreading the word about early childhood, Matt works with preschool children at his local library as a volunteer.

Matthew says: “It’s just so exciting that I can help children have chances that I never had growing up in foster care.”

Kids is proud to recognize these Vermonters as Superheroes of Early Childhood for their above and beyond commitment to the success of Vermont’s youngest children.

Know a Superhero in your community who deserves to be recognized? Submit your nomination at:

letsgrowkids.org

stories and imagination, while laying key building blocks for early literacy and social-emotional development. Sam can be found at the library and around town reading with children.

Good deed done: Sam partnered with other community organizations to create the Windham County Resource Calendar, an open source web platform that will connect families to local events and resources, debuting this month.

Sam says: “I have the best job in the world! As a librarian, I’m able to help children build literacy skills through books, play, and learning opportunities, and contribute to a thriving community.”

Monica Stowell Registered Home Child Care Provider Munchkins Day Care, Lyndonville

Superhero power: Empowering families to understand and support children with autism to become lifelong, engaged learners. In addition to working with individual children, Kathleen supports communities―including caregivers and child care centers―to understand autism in order to help children achieve their full potential.

Good deed done: One of Kathleen’s clients reports: “When Kathleen first met my son he was basically nonverbal and in his own world. Now he speaks so much he is generally hoarse, answers to his name, and plays well with others. If we didn't have her in our life I don't know where he would be today!”

Kathleen says: “My hope is that people will understand how important it is to invest in children during their earliest years, when it’s much easier to address issues before they become more significant, long term challenges.”

Superhero power: Working with community organizations to provide high quality (5 STARS!), affordable child care for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years. Look for Monica and “her kids” in the Lyndonville town parade, visiting with a police officer or fire fighter, and out birdwatching!

Good deeds done: Monica uses resources such as Head Start and Strengthening Families to make sure all families can afford her care and all children have rich, stimulating experiences.

Monica says: ”I want Vermont’s children to achieve all of their goals and remember me as one of the people who supported them to get there.”

Let’s Grow

SEPTEMBER 2015

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STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

ext. 77

Managing Editor Alison Novak alison@kidsvt.com ext. 75

Art Director Brooke Bousquet brooke@kidsvt.com ext. 41

Contributing Editor Megan James megan@kidsvt.com ext. 73

Marketing & Events Manager Corey Grenier corey@kidsvt.com ext. 76

Account Executive Kaitlin Montgomery kaitlin@kidsvt.com ext. 72

Calendar Writer Brett Stanciu brett@kidsvt.com ext. 78

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Contributing Writers: Angela Arsenault, JD Fox, Sarah Galbraith, Steve Hadeka, Kimberly Harrington, Ken Picard, Erinn Simon, Jessica Lara Ticktin Katie Titterton

Illustrators: Mo Oh, Michael Tonn

Photographers: Matt Thorsen, Tristan Von Duntz

Time After Time

THE DAYS ARE LONG, but the years are short — it’s an adage people throw around a lot when they talk about raising kids. But never does it seem truer than at the beginning of a new school year.

This summer, every time I told someone that my daughter, Mira, was going into third grade, I found myself questioning the statement in my head. Wait, is that right? I would think. It doesn’t seem so long ago that my stylish, thoughtful 8-yearold was a bald baby, teetering around on wobbly legs. When did she become a fullfledged big kid?

Theo, my 5-year-old son, is starting kindergarten. But that doesn’t stop me from occasionally sweeping his 50-plus-pound body into my arms and toting him around like a toddler. Recently I caught a glimpse of our reflection in the mirror and saw how absurd I look with his long-limbed frame wrapped around me. But I’ll continue to hoist him while I can because I know that, sooner than I’d like to imagine, he’ll be sweeping me o my feet.

Sending your child to school for the first time marks a new phase of parenting. Some moms and dads who wish to delay that transition give their kids an extra year at home before enrolling them in kindergarten. Katie Titterton writes about this practice of “redshirting” kindergarteners — and the varied reasons families choose to do it — in “Ready or Not?” on page 18.

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If you’re easing kids back into the school year, this issue is full of tips to help you do it. Ken Picard talks to Dr. Lewis First, chief of pediatrics at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, about how parents can help their students get the sleep they need to be successful in school and beyond (“Checkup,” page 16).

In “Mealtime” (page 15), Erinn Simon writes about a fun lunch option you’ll be tempted to pack — maybe even for yourself. And in “Use Your Words” (page 51), Kimberly Harrington suggests making “school year resolutions” as a way to cope with the craziness of the season. This issue isn’t just full of school supplies.

In “Bohemian Rap Session” (page 22), contributor Angela Arsenault interviews musician-parents and asks how they balance their artistic tendencies with family life. Arsenault knows something about the subject; her husband, Ryan Miller, fronts the band Guster.

And in “Balancing Act” (page 12), Jessica Lara Ticktin asks Jane Lindholm, host of VPR’s “Vermont Edition,” how she juggles her high-profile job with parenting her 20-month-old son.

Lastly, don’t forget to check out our September calendar — it’s packed with proof that the fun doesn’t have to end just because summer did.

ALISON NOVAK MANAGING EDITOR

Some of this month’s Kids VT contributors:

KIMBERLY HARRINGTON (“Use Your Words”) is a writer, creative director, wise apple-er and heartstrings puller. She is cofounder and editor of the parenting humor site RAZED, a contributor to McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, posts things that make you laugh or cry or go “meh” on Medium, and loves her iPhone very much and, sure, her family, too.

JD FOX (“The Art of”) lives in Montpelier with his husband, dog, cat and two fish. His fiction, philosophy and fascinations can be found at jdfoxpresents.com.

scover the wonder

Each orthodontist at Timberlane Dental Group is board-certified, and has the additional training and experience to make sure you get the best smile. Our orthodontists are well versed in all the treatment options for straightening teeth, and creating healthy smiles for you and your family.

To arrange an initial consultation at no-charge, please call Timberlane Dental Group at 802-864-6881, or visit timberlanedental.com

The orthodontists at Timberlane Dental Group are pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Matthew Rogers to the practice. With extensive experience treating adults, Matt is looking forward to providing patients of all ages with the care they need for beautiful smiles.

• Interceptive treatment of developing bite problems for children

• Comprehensive orthodontic treatment for adolescents and adults

• Treatment of complex bite problems and jaw deformities

• Clear and metal braces

• Removable Clear Aligners including Clear Correct and Invisalign®

FIRST-DAY FUN Back to Sch l Back to Sch l

Many Vermont kids returned to school at the end of August — almost two weeks before Labor Day! We asked our Facebook followers to share snapshots from the first day. Here’s a sampling of the sweet submissions we received.

Best of the Blog Get Lost!

Looking to have some good, oldfashioned fun with your family this month? Corn mazes give kids and adults alike the opportunity to move their legs and solve what amounts to a life-size puzzle. Here are six spots where you can test your sense of direction.

THE GREAT VERMONT CORN MAZE

Danville, 748-1399

vermontcornmaze.com

This maze, on a third-generation dairy farm, has a new design every year. Situated on 10 acres, which includes some hillsides, it’s a serious challenge; visitors should be able to walk for about an hour, without a rest, to find their way out of three miles of trails. A smaller maze on the property offers a lessintense option.

HATHAWAY FARM CORN MAZE

Rutland, 775-2624

hathawayfarm.com

The theme of this year’s 12-acre corn maze — which features a built-in sound system and a series of bridges — is “Under the Sea.” Toddlers can explore a mini maze and an OK Corral play area and livestock barn with donkeys, bunnies and pigs. Admission includes all mazes, the livestock barn and weekend wagon rides. On Saturdays the maze is open late, so the entry fee includes a glow stick and marshmallow roasting, too.

Cruisin’ the Causeway

In August, contributor Sarah Galbraith wrote about her favorite family bike excursion: riding the Island Line Trail in Colchester. The path takes bikers onto a causeway that juts into Lake Champlain. Every day during the summer, a bike ferry operated by Local Motion takes riders across a 200-foot gap in the causeway, where they can continue on to South Hero. Fortunately, the bike ferry continues into the fall. From September 7 to October 12, it operates on Fridays, weekends and holidays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Find more info at localmotion.org

Tristan and I pulled into Airport Park. We loaded 9-month-old Elise into her bike trailer and headed north on the path. As we pedaled, we met people going in both directions. Some were serious cyclists zooming along

SAM MAZZA’S CORN MAZE

Colchester, 655-3440 sammazzafarms.com

Visitors can take a one- or two-mile jaunt through sevenfoot-tall walls of corn, tracking their progress by punching a card at numbered stations scattered throughout the course. Don’t miss the farm market, animals and a few wooden play structures also on the premises.

PERCY FARM CORN MAZE

Stowe, 371-9999

Located just off the five-mile Stowe Recreation Path, this maze takes approximately one hour to complete. Visitors can pet baby calves and goats, and feed them for a quarter, as well.

A CORN MAZE ADVENTURE

Fort Ticonderoga, N.Y., 518-585-2821 fortticonderoga.org

Visitors navigate this six-acre maze, designed in the shape of the Fort, looking for history clues and collecting stamps. Children age 4 and under can try a shorter maze, with adult supervision.

WHITCOMB’S LAND OF PUMPKINS

Williston, 879-5239

This year’s four-acre, educationally themed maze is focused on Vermont’s new recycling laws and includes a scavenger hunt.

COLORING CONTEST

Flamingos are usually pretty in pink. But the 97 young artists who entered last month’s coloring contest proved that the tropical birds look just as dashing in orange, blue, polka dot and camouflage. Imaginative entries included flamingos basking in paparazzi flashbulbs on the red carpet, practicing gymnastics and painting masterpieces. We especially loved the birds attempting to beat the Guinness World Record for time spent standing on one leg. Keep the creativity coming, and congratulations to all the winners!

HONORABLE MENTIONS

SUPER SUNSHINE

Lola A. Cebo, 4, Clarendon

FABULOUS FINGER PAINTING

J.T., 2, Montpelier

SUCH STYLE

Shiloh Skalka, 5, Burlington

WHO’S WALTER?

Josephine Swiech, 5, Northfield

SO ORIGINAL

Emelia McCalla, 11, Rutland

DISCO FEVER

Raia Bryant, 10, Vergennes

GOOD HOODIE

Charlotte Moriarty, 12, Jericho

NEW-FANGLED ZENTANGLE

Isabel Giammusso, 12, Calais

PARTY PERFECTION

Sophia Van Zyl, 7, Addison

TIME TO DANCE

at top speed, while others were more casual riders, like a young couple on a date and several fishermen biking with their poles sticking out behind them. We pedaled through a suburban neighborhood, then a lakeside community and finally onto the causeway, which is a built-up path that runs on a flat, repurposed railroad bed into the middle of the lake. The path has water on both sides, and we noticed wildflowers tucked in among the rocks lining the trail and big, beautiful trees clinging to small patches of ground. Birds flitted around us as we rode by...

Joe Reed, 8, Essex

GREAT GARDEN

Lola Rubin, 8, Burlington

QUEEN SPARKLEBEAK

Alexandria Frost, 8, Colchester

TOP TITLES

“PINK KONG”

Michael Palumbo, 5, Burlington

“THE FLAMINGO OF DOOM”

Freya Lalumiere, 4, Burlington

“THE SUN OF SWIRLS”

Eli Russell, 7, Plainfield

The winners of our three gift certificates to Petra Cliffs are…

Autumn Driver, 4 HINESBURG “Pinkalicious”

Nora Austin, 8 ESSEX “Flamingos Gone Retro”

John Hoza-Frederick, 12 WILLISTON “Camo Flamingo”

Find this month’s coloring contest on page 50. The deadline for submissions is September 15

REAL FUN! Real Science.

THE BEAT

BUSINESS

Creativity in Bloom

A new “multisensory creative play space” in South Burlington aims to cultivate kids’ imaginations. At WILDFLOWERS STUDIO, which opens on September 14, little hands can practice flipping a light switch, buckling a seat belt, turning a knob and ringing an old-fashioned doorbell. All those items are mounted on a wooden board that’s part of the studio’s sensory area, where kids can learn through exploring with their senses. The bright, 1,600-squarefoot room also includes a sandbox fashioned from an antique clawfoot bathtub; a “telephone” made with funnels and a long tube; a Lego area; and an art corner.

The play space is the brainchild of Lyndsy Blais, a Colchester mom of four with a special-education background, and Sam Spisiak of Burlington, who’s studied early-childhood education and worked as a nanny. Last November, they hatched the idea to create a whimsical environment for kids ages 18 months to 10 years. They’ll o er two-hour open studios, themed classes, birthday parties and summer camps.

The pair has outfitted the space by scouring yard sales, craigslist, ReSOURCE and even an auto salvage yard for materials. The women hope that kids feel free to explore and play at Wildflowers. Says Spisiak, “We want this to be a place where we don’t say, ‘No.’”

WILDFLOWERS STUDIO is located at 1 Executive Drive, Suite 103, in South Burlington. For more information and a schedule of drop-in open studios and classes, visit wildflowerstudiobtv.com or email wildflowerchildrenbtv@gmail.com. Info, 318-8880. The studio will host open houses on Saturday, September 19, and Saturday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

HISTORY Building a Foundation

It’s di cult to make history come alive using just a textbook. Enter Preservation Burlington. The nonprofit dedicated to preserving and protecting the historic architecture of the Queen City recently released a HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE TOOLKIT, which aims to engage children ages 8 to 13 in local history and architectural heritage. Created by historians with education backgrounds, the toolkit provides samples of building materials, reference and coloring books, handouts, lessons, and a printable field notebook for students. For $25 to $50, local educators can rent the kit to use in their classrooms. The organization is also o ering customizable historian-led walking tours of Burlington neighborhoods for $5 per student to enhance kids’ understanding of the history in their own backyard.

HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE TOOLKIT: For more information, contact Preservation Burlington at info@preservationburlington.org or 207-907-0770.

BY ALISON NOVAK

BOOKS Ain’t Love Grand

Anna Dewdney is single-handedly responsible for making the lowly llama one of the most recognized characters in early-childhood lit. The Vermonter’s seven Llama Llama picture books, which explore topics ranging from temper tantrums to separation anxiety, have all been New York Times best sellers. The Chicago Tribune praised her as a “geographer extraordinaire of the emotional terrain of preschoolers and their mothers.”

In her latest installment, LLAMA LLAMA GRAM AND GRANDPA, Dewdney writes about Llama’s sleepover at his grandparents’ house. Grandma lets him ride on a tractor, and Grandpa helps him craft a wooden chair. But there’s one big problem: Llama has forgotten his beloved stu ed animal. Grandpa digs up a special llama toy he had when he was a boy as a stand-in for the real thing. This sweet, rhyming tale celebrates the idea that — whether they’re of the llama or human persuasion — grandparents have a knack for saving the day.

LLAMA LLAMA GRAM AND GRANDPA: Viking Books, $17.99. Ages 3-5. September 1 release date. Visit llamallamabook.com for more information.

ALISON NOVAK

Blais and Spisiak sit on a clawfoot tub in the studio’s sensory area COURTESY

Building material from the toolkit

Starr Farm Playground

RESIDENTS OF BURLINGTON’S New North End were pleased to say farewell this summer to the pressure-treated splinter factory that was Starr Farm Playground. After a series of neighborhood meetings, the city replaced the squeaky old swings with a futuristic, alien landscape that’s as fun as it looks. My wife, Maggie, and I bring our daughter, Sailor, there a few times a week.

The colorful new playground is divided into two distinct areas. A toddler play structure o ers a variety of old standbys such as baby swings and a small slide, along with a board showing shapes and colors, as well as a plastic hand drum.

But where this new playground really shines is in the big-kid area. At 4, Sailor’s technically not old enough to play there — it’s meant for ages 5

PLUSES • challenging, exciting and unexpected elements

• close to the dog park, beaches and bike path • QR codes on equipment direct smartphone users to the manufacturer’s informative website MINUSES • not much shade

to 12 — but that’s where we spend most of our time. The centerpiece is a jaw-droppingly tall 16-foot, 7-inch PlayWeb structure, a geodesic sphere that contains its own ropes course and is connected to the main structure by a cargo net bridge suspended several feet in the air. It’s without a doubt the most challenging and fun element of the park. Even I want to get in there. Not feeling so adventurous? Kids can play plenty of great games closer to the ground with an underground “telephone” system, a fire bell and a sling-swing.

Sailor on the PlayWeb

PHOTOS: STEVE HADEKA

Not Just Fiddling Around

A South Burlington teen connects through traditional music

addison whiTe is used to having an audience. The 15-year-old fiddler performs with the Vermont Youth Orchestra and Young Tradition Vermont’s Fiddleheads ensemble. She also regularly appears on one of the most visible stages in the state — Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace. She busked there all summer.

So during an interview at the University of Vermont’s Davis Center, when a reporter asked her to describe the kind of music she plays, she offered to give an impromptu concert demonstrating the subtle differences between traditional Irish and Scottish dance tunes.

Standing outside UVM’s student center, she played reels on the fiddle while her mom looked on and college students strode by. “In Irish music, it’s common to hear a bow triplet, which is where you flick the bow across the strings,” she explained before launching into an Irish tune called “Salvation Reel.”

It was windy that afternoon, and her long blond hair whipped around her instrument. When it got caught in her bow, the 15-year-old faltered momentarily, then laughed it off

name: ADDISON WHITE age: 15

Town: SOUTH BURLINGTON

and kept playing. Not all teenagers would exude such confidence.

Addison has studied the violin since age 4. In sixth grade, she became interested in fiddling.

The fiddle and the violin are the same instrument; what you call it depends on how you play it. Classical violin is, “more technical; it’s Mozart and Bach,” said Addison. Fiddling is more improvisational. Fiddlers play traditional American, Irish and Scottish songs, adding flourishes to make them their own.

Addison loves the style of the music, but she also loves fiddling culture. “I’ve made so many friends playing the fiddle,” she said. “There’s this enormous community that comes along with fiddling. Sometimes I’ll be busking on Church Street and someone will come up to me and say, ‘I’m an Irish step dancer. Can you play a reel for me?’ And then she’ll dance while I play.”

Addison practices for about an hour every day. “It takes a lot of focus and patience,” she said. Her focus now? Preparing for Young Tradition Vermont’s trip to Ireland next spring. She has fond memories of a previous trip with the group, to Northumberland, England. On the first night, the teenage

musicians got together with a local English ensemble for a jam session.

“We all knew the same songs, even though we were from different places,” Addison recalled. “That’s when I realized that this music really brings us all together.” K

“One to Watch” shines a light on a young Vermonter who is going places. Know a local child, age 17 or under, who’s recently done something amazing? Nominate him or her at kidsvt.com/vermont/kidsvtonetowatch/page

she played reels on the fiddle while her mom looked on and college students strode by.

BY ALISON NOVAK

Walking and Biking to School

OLD-TIMERS WHO TELL TALES of walking miles to school might be surprised to learn that many Vermont kids these days are following in their footsteps — voluntarily. Close to 100 schools in the state have walk- and bike-to-school programs that aim to increase the number of students on the move.

These initiatives are made possible, in large part, by Vermont Safe Routes to School. This statewide e ort is funded by a federal grant — it’s the local arm of a national campaign — and administered by the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Safe Routes launched in Vermont in 2005; today the program reaches approximately 26,000 kids at 92 schools, says the state’s Safe Routes outreach manager, Maren Hill.

Newport City Elementary School is one of them. Last school year, on the third Thursday morning of every month, Newport students joined adult volunteers on one of three di erent “walking school bus” routes, picking up more kids along the way. Colleen Moore de Ortiz, a parent and public health nurse in Newport, helped found the school’s Safe Routes program a year ago.

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“It’s a really great start to the day,” says Moore de Ortiz, who walked the two miles from her home to school with her 6- and 11-year-old sons when her schedule allowed. “It gets the blood pumping and the body moving.”

It was easy to get the school involved, she says. She filled out a simple enrollment form she found on the organization’s website. Then an engineer from Boston came to the school and — using

a map of the surrounding neighborhood and a list of student addresses — helped to identify safe and well-populated walking and biking routes.

Laura Asermily, a Middlebury resident who has coordinated the Safe Routes program at Mary Hogan Elementary School for the past four years, says climate change spurred her involvement in the program. In Middlebury, students who live more than two miles from the school qualify for school bus service. “We are really trying to reach that audience who lives within the two miles,” she says.

Mary Hogan’s Walk & Roll to School days are scheduled for the first Wednesday of every month. “It’s become routine now,” Asermily says.

“It’s on everyone’s calendar.”

To motivate kids to get involved, Safe Routes provides schools with small trinkets such as reflector bands and blinking lights to give to walkers and bikers when they arrive at school.

Some volunteers get creative.

At Edmunds Elementary School in Burlington, where there’s no school bus service, parent volunteer Rachel

Shelley says they’ve held helmetdecorating parties and hung a big poster in the school’s lobby for kids to sign when they get to school on foot or on two wheels. Twice a year, classes compete to have the most walkers and rollers for a given month. The winning class gets a Golden Shoe award and a party with smoothies made to order using a bike-powered smoothie maker.

It’s not just the rewards that look di erent from school to school. In Newport, senior citizens, hospital employees, local law enforcement and city council members sometimes join the monthly walks. Knowing that community members are watching out for her kids has created a “feeling of connection” that Moore de Ortiz says has made her more comfortable letting her kids walk to di erent places. Another bonus? When city council members join the walks, she says, they get a chance to see firsthand the infrastructure that needs repair and the spots where people drive too fast.

Newport is one of the few Northeast Kingdom communities with a downtown. For many rural

areas, walk-to-school initiatives are challenging. Miller’s Run School in She eld has held Walk At School days, where students walked around the school grounds, says Hill. In some rural districts, kids get dropped o at a location half a mile from school and all walk there together. “It’s a nice way to get kids walking to school and including them even if they’re not able to walk from their homes,” says Hill.

Winter weather can also be a prohibitive factor for walking and biking to school initiatives. Attendance tends to peak in the fall and spring, says Hill, and dwindle in the cold, snowy months.

Still, says Shelley, “my kids are often sporting ski goggles walking down the sidewalk.”

Want to see your school sign up for Safe Routes? Contact the program soon if you want help. According to Hill, funding to support a paid sta member will run out in April 2016. After that, schools will be able to find information on the Safe Routes website but will have to take a DIY approach. In other words, it’ll be more of an uphill trek.

To learn more about Vermont Safe Routes to School, visit saferoutes.vermont.gov.

It’s a really great start to the day. It gets the blood pumping and the body moving.

COLLEEN MOORE DE ORTIZ, NEWPORT PARENT AND SAFE ROUTES VOLUNTEER

Students walk to St. Albans City School

Mom Behind the Mic

How the host of ‘Vermont Edition’ juggles work and family

aT HarVard, Jane Lindholm was probably the only undergraduate listening to National Public Radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion” while getting ready to go out on Saturday night. A lifelong lover of public radio, the East Middlebury native says she “naively assumed” she could write to the president of NPR and ask for a job when she graduated in 2001.

It didn’t happen quite like that. But by a stroke of luck, a producer of “Radio Expeditions” — a show done in partnership with National Geographic — saw Lindholm’s cover letter and résumé and offered her a paid internship at NPR’s Washington, D.C. offices. So began her career in public radio.

In 2002 Lindholm got a job at “Talk of the Nation,” then left after a year to live in Australia, write a Let’s Go travel guide and backpack through Southeast Asia. Upon her return in 2004, Lindholm landed a job in Los Angeles working for NPR’s “Marketplace,” first as an assistant producer, then as a director.

Lindholm and her husband, Adrian Hicks — a Welshman she met on a beach in Thailand — moved to Vermont in 2007 to be closer to her family. Vermont Public Radio was just launching a new hourlong news program, “Vermont Edition,” and Lindholm, then just 28, landed the host position.

Each weekday at noon, she interviews Vermont newsmakers live, on-air, and fields calls from VPR listeners on topics ranging from the changing nature of TV narratives to the impact of algae blooms on Lake Champlain.

In 2014, Lindholm took a threemonth leave following the birth of her son, Dylan. This year, the 36-year-old Monkton mom earned the title of Best Local Radio Host, and “Vermont Edition” was voted Best Talk-Radio

Show, in Seven Days’ annual Daysies awards.

Kids VT sat down with Lindholm at the VPR offices in Colchester and interviewed her for a change.

on being articulate while sleep deprived:

I think of doing the show as part performance. You have to get in the zone. No one wants to hear if you’re tired or sound like you’re unprepared, so you have to make yourself be interested. The really cool thing is that after doing it for an hour, at the end of the show I usually feel more jazzed than when I woke up!

How motherhood has changed her perspective as a journalist:

I’ve noticed it’s harder to think about certain stories. Right when I came back from maternity leave, we were continuing to do stories on [Department for Children and Families] investigations about children who were allegedly abused by family members. My son was an infant, and I remember thinking, How could anybody ever hurt an innocent child, repeatedly and violently? On the other hand, I have a

lot more sympathy for how hard it is to parent under the best circumstances and how incredibly difficult it is if your circumstances are not good.

on the morning routine: Mornings are hellish! My son gets up anytime between 5 and 7. I am still breastfeeding, so I do that in the mornings and at night. If my husband has already left for work, then I’m eating breakfast and trying to get the dog outside to do his business while I am also trying to take a shower and get dressed and make some lunch — which is usually what doesn’t happen — and I get Dylan in the car and drop him off at his daycare and then make the mad dash to the office in time for 9 a.m.

on finding time for herself:

I do wish there were more like 30 hours in a day! Such a cliché, I know. That’s the biggest struggle right now for me. I don’t have enough time to exercise or to be outside by myself. I like to go for a run or go to the coffee shop in Vergennes and have a latte and read a book … but that never happens.

on the similarities between her job and parenting:

I love thinking about why [my son] is doing things. Is he just trying to manipulate me? What does he want that I am not able to give to him? You’re trying to investigate in journalism why people behave the way they do, and that’s a lot of parenting, too. Like, Why are you yelling at me right now?

on what she wishes were different: I would like to change the stress level. It feels like a lot to be the primary wage earner and to feel like parenting is a huge priority. I should say that my husband is really great — he’s a real partner in housework and parenting — but internally, the pressure to do a lot of hands-on parenting feels really strong. I’m trying to figure out how to do a job that I don’t feel I can take a break from and do the job of parenting, which you don’t get a break from. It’s really hard to balance.

What she loves about being a parent: Watching this little person change and develop and figure things out — so fun! He’s at an age now where language is coming so fast, and seeing him understand new words and stringing new words into sentences, that’s just amazing. I love kids, and I always knew I wanted to be a parent. It’s such a relief to enjoy it as much as I thought I would. K

mom: Jane Lindholm, host of Vpr’s “Vermont edition” dad: adrian Hicks, tool operator, GlobalFoundries, essex Junction Kid: Dylan, 20 months

lindholm’s family at home in monkton

You’re trying to investigate in journalism why people behave the way they do, and that’s a lot of parenting, too.

When Mom’s the Librarian

What do people who work around books all day read to their children? Kids VT asked the experts — local librarians — about their favorite books to read at home.

The Odd Egg

BY EMILY GRAVETT

All of Duck’s friends are laying eggs, and he feels left out — until he finds a large green, speckled egg to call his own. While waiting patiently for it to crack, he knits a scarf and web-footed booties for the little one inside. The egg finally opens to reveal an unexpected hatchling.

“I will happily read [this book] over and over again in story times, as well as to my own children,” says Tricia Allen, youth services librarian at the Ilsley Public Library in Middlebury. She has three kids, ages 2, 4 and 6. “The narrative is simple enough that a toddler can appreciate it, while the deceptively simple illustrations hold details to be delighted over during repeated readings.” Be prepared to discuss the di erent types of animals that hatch out of eggs, Allen adds.

Book-Inspired Contest Winners

Congratulations to these talented young artists who submitted captioned pictures inspired by Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig. Each wins a $25 gift certificate to Crow Bookshop in Burlington. Here is one of the winning drawings.

Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar?

BY BONNIE LASS AND PHILEMON STURGES, ILLUSTRATED BY ASHLEY WOLFF

The classic kids’ sing-along is adapted into a story set in the Southwest. Skunk bakes a batch of cookies, but when he opens the cookie jar he finds only crumbs. He ventures out to find the culprit, meeting many creatures, including Raven, Beaver, Rabbit and Raccoon, along the way.

“This has the kind of repetitive text that’s good for little kids, but the illustrations are so fully formed that they give a great sense of the place and enhance the story,” says Abby Adams, librarian at the Platt Memorial Library in Shoreham and mom to a 2-year-old daughter. There’s a lot to look at and point out in this picture book, which “helps keep parents’ attention, too,” she says.

Dancing Feet!

BY LINDSEY CRAIG, ILLUSTRATED BY MARC BROWN

In this board book (also available in hardcover), little ones guess who’s dancing across the pages by looking for clues in the artwork and listening to rhymes: “Creepity! Creepity! / Lots of purple feet! / Who is dancing / that creepity beat?” Spoiler alert: It’s a caterpillar.

Kate Hunter from the Orwell Free Library says this book — which has “bright pictures and simple, rhythmic text” — has been a favorite for the past year with her now-19-month-old daughter, Willa. “Together, we stomp and snap our way through the book,” says Hunter. “These days Willa even assists by reciting lines and encouraging movements.”

Other Winners:

Emeline Maas, 5, BARRE

Kylee Forrest, 10, SHELBURNE

Edith Kidder, 11, LINCOLN

Juliana Van Zyl, 6, ADDISON

“If I had a magic pebble, I would wish that my Opa wouldn’t lose his eyesight all the way. I want him to be able to see me and my Oma and everyone else he loves.”

THE LEARNING CENTER AT HEALTHY LIVING

MY LITTLE GNOCCHI!

Classic Potato Gnocchi:

1 1/2 lb baked potatoes

1 large egg

1 cup all purpose flour, more if needed

2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp bu er

Scoop out baked potato insides and let cool just enough so it won’t cook the eggs. Lightly whisk egg. Put potatoes in a mound and make a small well in center. Pour in egg and sprinkle flour and salt across potatoes. Gently use hands to mix potato mixture. The less you handle it the be er. Think folding rather than stirring. If mixture is too sticky add a li le more flour until you have made a ball. Turn out and knead on a floury surface. Let dough rest for 10 minutes to relax glutens. Roll dough into 1/2 inch thick logs and use a knife to cute 1/2 inch pieces. If desired use a fork to gently indent each gnocchi to help it to retain sauce. Place finished gnocchi on a lightly floured sheet tray. Cook in salted boiling water until they float to the top. Drain well and reserve. Once the gnocchi is done add bu er and melt on medium high heat in a saucepan. Add approximately 1 cup of gnocchi and cook until lightly browned. Add sauce as desired and cook for another minute. Serve garnished with fresh parmesan.

Brown Butter & Sage Sauce:

1 stick salted bu er

16 sage leaves

Zest of one lemon

Parsley, for garnish

Fresh parmesan, for garnish

Salt and fresh pepper, as desired

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN IN SEPTEMBER

In a small saucepan, melt bu er. Once fully melted, add sage and swirl pan until bu er is browned, being careful not to burn. Remove from pan and pour into heat safe bowl. Add lemon zest and season with salt and pepper as desired. Drizzle over browned gnocchi and garnish with parsley and parmesan.

All classes require pre-registration. For a full schedule, or to register, go to healthylivingmarket.com; or call Customer Service at 802.863.2569.

Salad to Go

IT’S MY JOB to figure out what the 40plus toddlers and preschoolers at the Burlington Children’s Space should eat for lunch — and I’m pretty good at it. But I still struggle with fresh ideas for my own kids’ midday meal. Every September I find myself wondering yet again what the heck to pack in their lunch boxes.

We are just as rushed as everyone else on weekday mornings, so the kids’ lunches have to be easy to prepare. It helps if they’re visually appealing; the kids will likely ignore a peanut-butter sandwich that’s been squashed under an apple all morning. Of course, the cook in me wants the food to be delicious, too.

This year, just as I was beginning to doubt there was a packable lunch that met all those requirements, I turned to Pinterest — and found salad in a jar.

The Mason jar is ubiquitous on the internet these days, filled with

Back to Sch l Back to Sch l

everything from breakfast smoothies to wedding favors. Using it as a salad container is a simple and brilliant idea.

You can pack dressing and salad together by layering ingredients from the heartiest to the lightest, with dressing on the bottom, so your fixings stay fresh and crunchy. And you can mix and match ingredients depending on your kids’ likes and dislikes. If you don’t want to use a glass jar because your kids are young (if their school doesn’t allow glass containers), just use any tall container with a tight seal.

Kids can dig right in, shaking up the jar so that the dressing is distributed and eating the salad “upside down,” or turning it out onto a plate or bowl. Add some bread, crackers or tortilla chips and fruit, and you’re done. Easy, healthy, fresh and delicious. You might even want to make an extra one for yourself.

SALAD IN A JAR

This is not so much a recipe as a set of suggestions. (I made a southwestern salad with homemade spicy ranch dressing.) Just follow the basic guidelines — and have fun!

YOU’LL NEED:

1 Mason jar or similar container with a tight seal, at least 4 inches deep

2 tablespoons of your favorite dressing (see right for ranch recipe)

2 cups assorted veggies, protein and garnishes, layered from the heartiest to the lightest

DIRECTIONS:

Pour your dressing into the jar. Next, layer your salad components. I started with chickpeas and black beans, followed by cubed cheddar cheese, shredded carrots, diced cucumbers, black olives and romaine lettuce. You could also use firm, cubed tofu, sunflower seeds, cooked chicken, grapes, raisins or Craisins, quinoa, farro or brown rice, and nuts (if their school allows them). If your kids aren’t into leafy greens, just omit them and sub in veggies they do like.

SPICY SOUTHWEST RANCH DRESSING:

Makes about 1 cup; keeps in the fridge for up to a week

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup plain full-fat yogurt

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 or 2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 tablespoon chopped chives

1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill (or 2 teaspoons dried dill)

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

2 tablespoons olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients except olive oil in a small bowl and mix well. Add the oil in a steady stream, whisking until fully incorporated.

How can parents help their school-age kids get enough sleep?

THE AMERICAN ACADEMY of Pediatrics estimates that about 15 million schoolchildren nationwide don’t get enough sleep at night, which can dramatically a ect their health, development and academic performance. But many parents, especially those who don’t get enough sleep themselves, find it challenging to help their children establish healthy sleep patterns.

This month, Dr. Lewis First, chief of pediatrics at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, o ers tips for helping kids get the sleep they need, so they can wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day.

KIDS VT: How much sleep do schoolage kids need each night?

LEWIS FIRST: All children and teenagers need at least eight and a half to nine and a half hours of sleep per night. That is critical for children who want to do well in school, sports and other extracurricular activities. It also gives them a healthier attitude and helps them emotionally. A good night’s sleep can help teenagers who drive reduce their risk of being in a tra c accident. There’s also evidence to suggest that sleepdeprived children eat unhealthy snacks with more fats and carbohydrates when they stay up later, which increases their risk of becoming overweight.

KVT: Do older kids have different sleep patterns than younger kids?

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asleep. Teens are particularly sensitive to that blue light.

adolescence, which pushes back the time they feel tired and go to bed. As a result, they tend to want to go to sleep later and then wake up later. But if it’s a school day, they can’t sleep past 6 or 7 a.m., which makes them less alert in their morning classes.

KVT: Do you think public schools should push back their morning start times?

KVT: How do parents know if their kids aren’t getting enough sleep?

Parents should also keep room lights dim toward bedtime and reduce the noise level in the house. Certainly avoid any stimulants, such as ca einated beverages. Finally, parents should maintain consistent bedtimes and wake-up times even on weekends to help kids establish regular sleep patterns. Remember, the body can catch up on sleep but cannot store sleep for the future.

DR. LEWIS FIRST

LF: As children enter adolescence, their circadian rhythms change, and they don’t get sleepy until later at night. The added stress of middle and high school, combined with more homework and other demands, can cut into their sleep time. Melatonin, a chemical the brain releases to make the body tired, gets released later at night in

LF: Yes. In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommended that all schools consider an 8:30 a.m. or later start time, and last month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reiterated that position. Based on data from the 2011-12 school year, they determined that America’s schoolchildren are not getting enough sleep, which is a ecting school performance, sports, behavior, diet and more. But, as of 2012, only 15 percent of Vermont public middle and high schools started at 8:30 or later. Vermont’s children would be well served in the long run by starting school later and getting a full night’s sleep.

LF: One way is simply to keep track of what time your kids go to bed and when they wake up. Some children may be able to get by on a little less than eight and a half hours of sleep, but parents should watch for warning signs: Do kids struggle to wake up in the morning? Are their teachers reporting that they’re having increasing di culty concentrating as the school year progresses? Are they falling asleep in class? Do they seem more moody, sad or withdrawn? All of these might be signs of sleep deprivation in kids that their parents should talk about with their child’s health care professional — and, of course, with their child.

KVT: What’s the best way for kids to wind down at bedtime?

LF: First, parents should set regular bedtimes and waking times. They should establish a nightly routine and then decelerate their kids’ activities as the evening progresses. Also, turn o electronic devices with screens such as televisions, computers, tablets and smartphones one to two hours before bedtime. Studies show that the blue light emitted by those screens actually inhibits the release of melatonin and doesn’t allow the body to relax and fall

KVT: What should parents do if their kids are waking up frequently during the night?

LF: First, parents should consider altering their kids’ sleep environment as I recommended in the previous question. If kids are waking up and staying up, my suggestion is they should get up and read a book or do something to keep their mind occupied, like little puzzles, until they feel tired again. But don’t turn on a TV, and avoid anything that’s scary or action-packed.

KVT: What’s the best way for kids to wake up?

LF: There shouldn’t be any gradual easing into it. Wake them up with an alarm clock or with spirited music, then open the blinds or shades and turn on lights, because the human body is cued to light. That will get them awake and alert and let them start processing things to get their day going. If kids get going earlier in the morning, they’ll get tired earlier in the evening and in turn have a better chance of getting the required sleep they need. Finally, all kids need to start the day with a healthy breakfast, which energizes the brain and improves school performance.

Parents should establish a nightly routine and then decelerate their kids’ activities as the evening progresses.

Putting on a Play

monTpEliER’s losT nATion Theater is known for its polished productions. In July, it revived Stone, LNT founding director Kim Bent’s award-winning original play about the Barre granite industry. But the company has a more youthful side: It runs a program for fledgling thespians called Theater FOR Kids BY Kids.

This summer, its participants staged Charlotte’s Web. At the final rehearsal, the cast and crew put finishing

touches on the show. “What happened with props?” LNT artistic director Kathleen Keenan asked the group.

“I know we have props.” The actors should be using them all the time now, she continued, not just miming.

The question set the actors into a flurry of chatter. Ten-year-old Dariush Sarafzade, who played Lurvy, the farm’s hired man, asked Keenan to clarify when he should bring out the slop bucket.

The Charlotte’s Web camp, for kids age 9 and up, ended with four performances. Keenan’s codirector, Shawn Sturdevant, worked with Bent to adapt the famous children’s story for the stage, with original songs by Keenan.

“Make sure you’re not looking at the floor,” Keenan instructed her

Keenan and her colleagues intentionally treat the young campers like professional actors. “We believe that kids of any age will meet the standards that you set,” Keenan explained. “You can have high expectations, and they will reach for those, and they will feel a great sense of pride when they get there. We’re big believers in setting the bar high.”

Before his star turn as Wilbur, Justin performed as Jim Hawkins, the child protagonist in LNT’s spring production of Treasure Island. “It’s easy to say a few words, but to make them mean anything at all, that’s the hard part,” he explained.

charges during rehearsal. “Make eye contact with the audience.” She paused, then asked the group what kind of theater they were in.

“Three-quarters,” the kids answered in unison. That means having an audience on three sides, Keenan reminded them. She demonstrated how to move properly across the stage in such a space: Think circles, not angles. One by one, each cast member practiced a circle walk.

The group continued to rehearse, addressing issues as they cropped up.

TAKE THE sTAgE

The success of a play depends not only on solid performances from the actors but also on smooth operations behind the scenes. Theater FOR Kids BY Kids provides opportunities for youngsters to work on lightning, scenery construction and backstage management.

these local theater companies have opportunities for young actors: lost nation Theater, montpelier, 229-0492, lostnationtheater.org

lyric Theatre company, Williston, 658-1484, lyrictheatrevt.org

Vermont children’s Theater, Lyndonville, 626-5358, vermontchildrenstheater.org

“It’s a beautiful megaphone, but it’s muffling your voice,” Keenan told 11-year old Greta ZeankowskiGiffin, who played the narrator. “You need to hold it away from your mouth.”

Very merry Theatre, burlington, 355-1461, verymerrytheatre.org

Town Hall Theater, middlebury, 388-1436, townhalltheater.org

Seventh grader Maryam Sarafzade ran things backstage for Charlotte’s Web “Her job was to figure out where all the props belong, to track them, hand them off,” Keenan explained. “Because we had multiple kids playing multiple parts, she was doing all those costume changes and making sure the costumes were where they needed to be for that quick change to happen.”

Later, she reminded 13-year-old Justin Murray, the actor playing Wilbur, to stay faithful to his lines. “You’re paraphrasing … Please read it exactly,” she said, stressing the poetry of E. B. White’s words.

In addition to its summer camps, Lost Nation Theater offers schoolvacation camps. All the youth programming has one thing in common, said Keenan: “We want to really challenge the kids, and we want to expose them right away to what a professional theatrical process is like.” K

it’s easy to say a few words, but to make them mean anything at all, that’s the hard part.

JusTin muRRAy

The young cast of Charlotte’s Web

Ready or Not?

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Why some parents decide to delay their child’s kindergarten start date

BY KATIE TITTERTON

When Anne Hanson’s son, Anders, was approaching school age more than a decade ago, she sat down to study her outdoorsy little boy. He was “all about imagination and gross motor play, and those are things he won’t be able to do as much if he’s enrolled in kindergarten at age 5,” she remembers thinking.

In Vermont, kids can start kindergarten at 5, but they’re not required to enroll until age 6. So Hanson and her husband, Eric, decided to give Anders an extra year at home. Their work schedules allowed at least one

parent to be with their son, in bucolic Craftsbury. They considered that extra year a gift, allowing their only child to mature and strengthening the family bond. It gave them a chance to have “a deeper, longer relationship” with him, says Hanson, who’s since become an early childhood educator.

Now 17 and entering his junior year of high school, Anders is a competitive Nordic skier and, according to his mom, a confident student and pleasant guy to be around. Looking back, she’s pleased with the decision her family made — and recognizes the

good fortune in having that flexibility. “If you have the freedom to step back from the pressures of society,” she says, “look at where [your children] are and what will best meet them where they are.”

Increasingly these days, parents across the country are making the same choice, giving their 5-year-olds an extra year filled with unstructured play, pre-K and play dates before starting kindergarten. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 17 percent of American kindergarteners

started at age 6 in 2008, compared with just 9 percent in 1995.

The practice of holding kids back is referred to as “redshirting,” a term borrowed from the world of college sports, where it means keeping an athlete out of competition for a year to lengthen their period of eligibility.

Books like Freakonomics and Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers popularized redshirting — both noted that many elite soccer and hockey players were born during the earliest months of the year, making them the oldest kids in their classes.

But does the practice actually benefit children in the long run? The jury is still out.

New Yorker writer Maria Konnikova examined the evidence in a 2013 article. “While earlier studies have argued that redshirted children do better both socially and academically — citing data on school evaluations, leadership positions and test scores,” Konnikova writes, “the more recent analyses suggest that the opposite may well be the case: The youngest kids, who barely make the age cutoff but are enrolled anyway,

ultimately end up on top — not their older classmates.”

She sites a Norwegian study showing that adults who as children started school a year later than their peers had significantly lower IQ scores than their younger counterparts — and they earned less, too. A 2008 Harvard University study showed similar results in the U.S.

Indeed some Vermont parents are eager to enroll their kids in kindergarten exactly because it offers a structured, academic environment. Some even apply for waivers to enroll children whose birthdays fall just before or after their district’s cutoff date, which varies from September 1 to the end of December.

“There are probably as many families that think about redshirting their kids as there are families who want their kids in early,” says Melissa Riegel-Garrett, pre-K coordinator for the Vermont Agency of Education.

From the state’s perspective, the decision to redshirt a child is entirely up to the family. “The Agency of Education hasn’t come out with any guiding principle or philosophy about this at all,” says Riegel-Garrett.

The state doesn’t track how many parents are doing it, either, though anecdotal evidence suggests that Vermont is in line with the national trend.

The changing Face of Kindergarten

Why are parents’ feelings about kindergarten changing? Partly because kindergarten has changed — it looks different than it did when today’s moms and dads were growing up.

For starters, it’s more academic.

A 2015 University of Virginia study comparing kindergarten classrooms in the United States between 1998 and 2010 found that teachers’ academic expectations, teacher-directed instruction and assessment, and time spent teaching advanced math and literacy content increased during that

period, while child-selected activities and time spent teaching art, music and science decreased.

In many cases, it’s also a bigger time commitment. In 1998 only 56 percent of children attended full-day kindergarten. Today, that number has jumped to 80 percent.

These increased demands are one of the main reasons some parents choose to delay their child’s start date.

Jemima Talbot lives in Essex. Her 5-year-old daughter, Lila, is eligible for kindergarten but is spending another part-time preschool year at the Saxon Hill School in Jericho — in part because Talbot wants more time for her to play. “I don’t want her to go directly into a rigorous, school-based environment. I really believe in outdoor and play time,” she says.

The Saxon Hill School, a private parent cooperative, also provides a smaller, cozier environment than the full-day public school kindergarten Lila would attend in Essex.

“If she was going into a one-class kindergarten, that would have impacted my decision,” says Talbot. “But she’s going into full-on school, waiting in line for lunch, waiting in line to go to the bathroom. It’s a little much for someone who just turned 5.”

Adam Tarmy of Monkton says the full school day was also “a little much” for his daughter, who has a late-August birthday. He gave his now-7-yearold three years of preschool before starting kindergarten; she’s about to enter first grade. If she had started at age 5, she would have been among the youngest in her kindergarten class. Instead, she was one of the oldest.

“I think if she went a year earlier, she would have had a harder time physically with the stamina,” says Tarmy. Giving her a chance to build strength and coordination was also a concern. “She’s small in stature,” Tarmy says.

There are probably as many families that think about redshirting their kids as there are families who want their kids in early.

melissa Riegel-gaRReTT, VeRmonT agency oF educaTion

Pre-K all The Way

VeRmoNT is iN the process of democratizing early childhood education. act 166, which provides universal access to prekindergarten, was signed into law in 2014 and is now slated for statewide implementation by July 1, 2016. Some school districts and supervisory unions are already implementing act 166 for this school year.

the Winooski School district is one of them. for years, it offered only one public preschool class at its K-12 educational center, and two other part-time classes at the Winooski family center, where space was limited. families who couldn’t afford private preschool had few options, so the district decided to allow 4-year-olds turning 5 by december 31 to enroll in kindergarten.

“We wanted kids to have a chance to come to school,” said Winooski kindergarten teacher Jessica perrotte. “and then if they’re not ready for first grade, they do another year of kindergarten.”

this year, thanks to act 166, Winooski began offering four half-day preschool programs at JfK elementary along with the program at the Winooski family center. this bump in public preschool allowed the school to change its kindergarten cutoff date to September 1, putting it in line with most Vermont districts.

under act 166, children ages 3 to 5 are eligible for 10 hours per week of free prekindergarten education from qualified public or private pre-K programs. this affected Jemima talbot’s decision to give her daughter an extra year of pre-K at the private Saxon hill School, instead of enrolling her in public school in essex.

Saxon hill has a licensed kindergarten. but while private pre-K programs are eligible for the public funding guaranteed by act 166, private kindergartens are not.

“i’m eligible to receive $3,000 for preschool,” says talbot, adding that because prekindergarteners and kindergarteners share classroom space, her daughter picks up some of the benefits of kindergarten anyway. “i’ve just seen great changes in her over the year,” she says. Kindergarten can wait.

ready or Not

“We wanted her to at least have the opportunity to play some sports.”

When Not to Redshirt

Giving a child extra time to develop socially, emotionally and even physically is a reasonable choice for parents to make, says Melissa Farrall, program manager of diagnostic services at the Stern Center for Language and Learning. But if a child does not appear cognitively ready for school, delaying kindergarten is not the answer.

Certain basic language skills develop naturally by age 5 or 6, Farrall says. If a child’s language development seems a little delayed, a family may be tempted to give her another year to hone the ABCs and build vocab before kindergarten. But that’s not the way the brain develops.

“The research we have says we have skills related to reading and writing that develop naturally at this

time, and if they’re delayed, we have a problem,” Farrall says. “A so-called readiness year won’t target the skills they need and won’t remediate the issue. This kindergarten and first grade year are really important. If we just take a readiness year, we’re essentially delaying intervention.”

If parents are concerned about their preschooler’s cognitive skills, says Castleton schoolbased clinician C. Bela Schug, they should talk to the coordinator of their school district’s early-intervention special education program, called Triple E, or Essential Early Education.

money matters

Parents considering redshirting also have to weigh the cost. Public school kindergarten is free. But parents working full-time who keep their kids home, or enroll them in part-time preschool programs, will still need to

pay for childcare. And for some, the costs are prohibitive.

Maggie Van Duyn of Richmond applied for a waiver to enroll her daughter, Zoey, in kindergarten early. “The biggest driver? Saving on childcare costs,” she says.

Van Duyn is a social worker with the Vermont Department for Children and Families. She advises the families she works with to give their children a school experience as early as possible. At-risk children need the social and academic supports and routines of school — and as many caring, reliable adults as possible.

“When I’m working with someone who needs support, I’m encouraging them to send their child to school. I’m encouraging other people to get involved in that child’s life,” she says.

If a client told her that his or her child was emotionally unready for kindergarten, Van Duyn explains, she would advise them that the child in fact needs kindergarten in order to develop those emotional skills.

Van Duyn’s daughter, Zoey, who turned 5 just a few weeks after starting kindergarten, shared a classroom with kids turning 7. Van Duyn was advised against starting her daughter

You can say anything you want about those stereotypes, but it’s really an individual case, and it’s up to the parents to decide.

Jessica PeRRoTTe, WiNoosKi KiNdeRgaRTeN TeacheR

early because Zoey would have to adjust to school with kids more than a year older than her.

“My thought is, Whose fault is that?” says Van Duyn. “Someone of privilege has the choice to hold their child back. And that’s really lucky for them. But it continues to put other people at a disadvantage.”

Free choice

Some children who start school early rise to the occasion. Last year, Winooski teacher Jessica Perrotte had a student in her kindergarten class who turned 5 on December 31, the town’s thencut-off date; it changed this year to September 1 (see sidebar). “He had no fine motor skills, and he shouldn’t at that age,” she recalls. “By December, he was above grade level, and we were floored. You can say anything you want about those stereotypes, but it’s really an individual case, and it’s up to the parents to decide.”

Other kids benefit from a later start date. Shelburne mom Jenna Mazur used to be skeptical of redshirting.

“I didn’t get it. I thought it was kind of strange,” she says.

“But when it came time for [my daughter] Eva to enter kindergarten, I totally got it.”

August-born Eva started kindergarten at age 6. “She did great,” says Mazur. “She was a helper in class because she was just a little bit older and had learned some things already. Her confidence was so much greater. I’m so glad I did that with her.”

In making this decision, parents should talk to kindergarten teachers in their school district to get a sense of their classroom style and educational philosophy, says RiegelGarrett. “I just can’t stress enough the importance of families looking at their own kids and gathering the information they need to make the best decisions for their kids.” K

Saturday, September 12 at the State House in Montpelier WALK or 5K RUN in Montpelier!

Saturday, September 19 at the Howe Center in Rutland

Saturday, September 19 at First Unitarian Universalist Church in Burlington

if a child does not appear cognitively ready for school, delaying kindergarten is not the answer.

BohemianRAP SESSIONS

From January to May of this year, my husband, Ryan, was touring the U.S. and Europe with his band, Guster. He spent a total of 31 days at home during that time. While he was away, I was at home in Williston, doing all the normal stu one does with a 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son: drop-o s and pickups, coordinating school schedules with my unpredictable freelance writer schedule.

My friends were extremely supportive, but even they would occasionally say things like, “Man, I don’t know how you can be OK with this,” or, “Doesn’t it bother you that he’s o seeing the world while you’re stuck at home?” And the honest answer is, “Sometimes.” But mostly I’m psyched to be married to someone who makes a living doing exactly what he wants to do. I’m inspired by his work ethic and commitment to his art — and I really appreciate the free concert tickets we get because of his job.

Conversations with parents who rock

BY ANGELA ARSENAULT

In the 15 years Ryan and I have been together, we’ve developed a few key rituals around his time on tour that help us stay connected. FaceTime is crucial. We both reach for the phone regularly to share the little moments — our family’s review of the day’s rose, bud and thorn at dinner time; saying goodnight at bedtime — and the big stu , like, “Look! Daddy’s on top of the Ei el Tower!” We also implemented a rule that Ryan can’t say anything about the state of our house for at least 72 hours after he comes home. This is an important acknowledgement of the fact that I run the house di erently — and, yes, a little less neatly — when Ryan is away, and it lets me know that he agrees

with the way I’ve prioritized my time in his absence.

Knowing what a circus my family life can feel like at times, I was curious to speak with other Vermont parents for whom music — and the creative life — play a very important role. We had lots to talk about, including the trouble with touring, what it’s like to work and parent with the same person, and the financial realities faced by countless members of today’s creative economy.

The bottom line? Living the creative life usually means equal parts fulfillment and sacrifice, clarity and uncertainty. But it’s worth it — we couldn’t be ourselves if we tried to live any other way.

Lio and Dash brushing their teeth at a club Ryan arrives home from touring

MICHAEL TONN

Arsenault’s family

bobby Hackney Jr., frontman for punk band Rough Francis, comes from a musical family. His father and uncles started their own punk band, Death, in Detroit in the 1970s. Hackney and his brothers helped the world rediscover the band, and their family’s story has since been written up in Rolling Stone and the New York Times, and captured on film in the documentary A Band Called Death

Hackney met Sara Goldstein, who now writes for Parent.co, when the two were in their early twenties. When they found out that Sara was pregnant with their first child, they realized that things were going to have to change.

try to make it worth our while. We have to turn down one-off shows if the money’s not that great and if it’s far away. If we do a show out of town, we make sure we do at least two or three around it, like make it a long weekend.

KVT: How does having a family factor into your decisions?

BoBBY: Well, childcare. It’s good because I’m the one that manages the band, so I book at least six months out. We book way in advance so I can talk to Sara about it.

KVT: so that’s nice for you, right sara? it helps when you can plan ahead.

They’re like, “oh, yo. You have a wife and two kids? oh, my god!”

KVT: How do you work it out with your job when you need to leave for a tour?

BoBBY: Well, I work part-time [as a designer for Kids VT’s sister publication Seven Days], and I freelance. So that makes it a lot easier for me to go away. I’m lucky to have that, too, because I can actually work from the road.

KVT: How do you think your musical proclivities have impacted your kids, if at all?

Said Sara: “With finding out that we were going to have a baby, it wasn’t, ‘ok, well, you have to stop this fooling around, playing music business.’ It was, ‘You have to get smarter about how you’re doing it.’” Which is what they’re still doing a decade later.

Kids VT: How much time do you spend on the road these days, Bobby?

BoBBY: When we go out, we usually

SaRa: Definitely. and I think because it’s ... it’s not that it’s a hobby. He’s doing something that’s important and that gives another dimension to who he is. So obviously I fully support that, but there’s a realistic end of things, which is finances. Because Rough Francis is not the way that he makes money — it’s a supplemental thing — there naturally comes: the kids, his job, my job, then music.

KVT: But it’s also really important, i would think, to you, Bobby, that you have a partner who supports your desire to make music.

BoBBY: Yeah. It’s funny because when I go out, there are some people who don’t even know that I have a family.

BoBBY: [our daughter] Josie, she loves to sing, and she loves music. our kids love listening to Rough Francis, and it’s really cool to hear them singing our songs. But they always use that against us. We’ll tell them to quiet down and not do something, and then they just start singing a Rough Francis song. I’m like, “I can’t get mad at you now, because you’re singing one of my songs!”

ParenTs: Bobby Hackney Jr., 37, and Sara Goldstein, 33 Kids: Son Kiernan, 9, and daughter Josie, 4 Home Base: Burlington Listen

The family

Josie takes the stage

Hackney performing

Amanda Gustafson and Eric Olsen were both fixtures in the Burlington music scene — Amanda in her band Wide Wail and Eric as part of Helen Keller Music — when they met in 2002. Their first musical collaboration came about when a mutual friend asked each of them to join the band that accompanied the Spielpalast Cabaret. They played in the cabaret ensemble for a few years but formed their own band, Swale, (with drummer Jeremy Frederick) “right after the first year,” said Olsen.

Thirteen years, one wedding and two children later, Gustafson and Olsen are still making music together, as well as devoting time to their respective day jobs. Eric is a web developer and owner of Perfect Day Media. Amanda is an English Language Learners classroom teacher in the Burlington School District. We spoke at their home in Shelburne while the three of us folded a sizable mountain of laundry.

KVT: i wonder if the years you’ve spent creating music together inform the way you parent together?

EriC: i feel that we balance each other out in a lot of ways. in the band, we’re very different, and yet i think that’s such an important part of that dynamic, and likewise in our family.

AMAnDA: i was going to say that i think we balance each other out in an opposite way. in the band, i feel we all defer to Eric — and i mean that in the best possible, most positive way. in rehearsal, he’s so competent and he makes everybody feel like we know what we’re doing and keeps it positive. With the family dynamic, i feel like the tables are a little bit turned. i feel really competent.

EriC: Absolutely.

AMAnDA: i know what the kids need, i’m the one who’s, like, got towels in the car and i’ve packed some food, and…

EriC: The leader, yeah, we defer.

AMAnDA: We eat dinner together every single night, which is all because Eric gets home for us to do that, and we have breakfast together. We spend a ton of time together as a family, and we spend a lot of time together practicing, so those two dynamics are flip-flopping a lot over the course of the week.

KVT: How do you eat dinner together every night and play shows as often as you do?

AMAnDA: We eat dinner at 5:30.

EriC: ideally, the sitter is coming in at dinner and maybe eats with us or arrives just after dinner. There are some shows where there’s early loadin and we miss [eating dinner with the kids]. We cook for them, and then we split. And then sometimes it’s a late show and we can put them to bed beforehand, and the sitter can come and just watch TV and make money.

KVT: Would you be in a band full time if you could?

EriC: it would depend on what you’re talking about; i wouldn’t want to spend less time with the kids. if you’re talking dream, that dream probably doesn’t entail rigorous touring, even though i would love to tour. You know what i mean?

That’s hard, because then when is dinner, when is all that? i feel like we have a nice pocket, personally. i feel like there are some people who like our songs, and they’re interested enough to buy enough records that we can just make another one and keep writing. i feel like that’s really fulfilling.

AMAnDA: i think most people would be lucky to have what we have.

KVT: You both have full-time jobs, you’re raising two kids, and you’re making art that people enjoy and consume. From the outside looking in, it seems to me you’ve got it figured out.

EriC: Sometimes i think that the only thing that i might have figured out is that i’ve just got to show up; i’ve just got to be there.

AMAnDA: it’s true. There have been many times when, like, i’ve put the kids to sleep, fallen asleep with the little one, and then i wake up because Eric is knocking me on the bottom of my foot, like i’m a stable boy asleep in the hay. it’s like, “Let’s go!” And you just get up, and you go to rehearsal, and you sit down, and you play.

PARENTs: Eric Olsen, 44, and Amanda Gustafson, 43 Kids: Daughters Magny, 7, and Esme, 4 HomE BAsE: Shelburne

At The Kids Are Alright concert at Higher Ground last spring

swale

musicians Rose Friedman and Justin Lander met in 2001 while working with Bread and Puppet Theater. They overlapped for four and a half years before marrying and starting their own company, Modern Times Theater.

These days they do musical performances featuring “old jazz from the 1910s and ’20s,” with Justin on coronet and Rose playing the ukulele. Modern Times Theater also puts on handcrafted puppet shows for children and adults, and Rose and Justin produce and perform in Vermont Vaudeville. They’ve received grants from the Vermont Arts Council and the Vermont Community Foundation, and have appeared at Burlington’s Festival of Fools, the Shelburne Museum and Derby Line Community Day, as well as other regional venues.

If all that creating wasn’t enough, they’re also raising two kids and tending to the farm on which they live in East Hardwick.

KVT: can you talk a little bit about the financial logistics of living a creative life where you’re not getting what most people relish, which is a steady paycheck and predictable income?

RoSE: We can’t support our family just on art-making. We raise a lot of our own food, and we live in a way that is probably, compared to a lot of Americans, maybe a little closer to the poverty line. But we feel like we live in the absolute lap of luxury because we’re eating what we think is the best food available, and we have a beautiful house, and we’re healthy, and we have a lot of friends and support nearby. We have a pretty high-class life; it just doesn’t involve a lot of fancy dishwashers and stuff. We do shows, and each of us has a small stream of income from a different job. I do some educational consulting work. I work with a lot of homeschooling families and I get a little bit of money from that, and then Justin makes maple syrup.

JuSTIn: I work in a medium-size industrial maple syrup operation so that, at the time in the winter when there’s really not a lot of performing work, that’s a full-time job. Then the rest of the year, I can manage to do a

day or two, sometimes three, a week there.

RoSE: Working in the woods and making candy, basically.

JuSTIn: There’s a lot of room in there for our own creative work and homesteading work. We don’t ever have a day off.

RoSE: Before we had kids, we felt like, Oh, my God. This is the craziest experiment and a ridiculous idea to imagine that we can raise food and be connected to a piece of land and also be artists, because up to that point everything we had done was touring all over the States and internationally and just kind of nonstop moving. When we moved here, we thought, Well, we’re going to have to really give up a lot of the performing stuff and we’ll just find those opportunities when we can. Then we realized that there was more and more possibility of performing somewhat locally and still being able to come home and milk a cow. That seemed like a crazy enough experiment, but then when we added kids into it, it got even wonkier. In a way, it was like, Well, we’re doing this crazy thing. We might as well just try to blend in all of it, everything we want to do, and try to make it work

KVT: What other kinds of logistical things have popped up for you when blending work and parenthood?

RoSE: I feel like we are inventing the universe every day anew.

JuSTIn: Every gig.

RoSE: As the kids’ ages change, that makes different things possible or challenging. Right now, Eva’s at an age where she can suddenly be much more reliable and independent and responsible.

JuSTIn: We can bring her to any gig and put her in the audience, and we’re totally fine, but we earned that after many, many by-the-seat-of-the-pants gigs when she was younger. We had one show where, halfway through a music set, from the audience, Eva’s voice came and said, “Mom? Dad?” and the whole audience went silent. We said, “Yes, Eva?” She said, “Don’t play another song.”

RoSE: Everyone was like, “oh, isn’t that cute?” K

Watch that cute heckler’s parents perform at moderntimestheater.com.

PARENTs: Justin Lander, 39, and Rose Friedman, 34 Kids: Daughter Eva, 5, and son Charlie, 7 months HomE BAsE: East Hardwick

charlie explores while his dad sets up for a performance

on stage

SEPT CALENDAR

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

NEW WORLD FESTIVAL

More than 70 musicians celebrate Vermont’s Celtic and French Canadian heritage through traditional tunes, children’s activities and dance. Chandler Music Hall, Randolph, noon-11 p.m. $12-39; free for children ages 2-12. Info, 728-6464.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

BEE HERE NOW FESTIVAL

The honey makers steal the show at this celebration with an observation hive, quilt activity and parade. Dress up as a bee for a chance to win a prize. Shelburne Orchards, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 985-2753.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

CELEBRATION OF BIRDS

High Spirits

In 1996, choreographer Marilyn Klaus founded Ballets with a Twist, a dance company devoted to mixing classical ballet with high-energy choreography. Its latest production, MINT JULEP AND OTHER SPIRITED DANCES, brings together lively pop music, whirling movement and colorful costumes for a series of vignettes inspired by iconic American refreshments. PBS praised the New York City-based company for its “surprising style.” Belly up to the barre and enjoy!

BALLETS WITH A TWIST: MINT JULEP AND OTHER SPIRITED DANCES: Saturday, September 19, 7:30 p.m., at Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center in Stowe. Recommended for ages 7 and up. $20-59. Info, 760-4634. sprucepeakarts.org

Avid avian fans delight in this fête of feathered friends featuring exhibits, speakers and food. Staige Hill Farm, Charlotte, 4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 434-3068.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26-27

CHAMPLAIN MINI MAKER FAIRE

Tech enthusiasts celebrate the DIY mindset at this quirky science fair featuring robotics, student experiments, arts and crafts and more. Shelburne Farms, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $6-9; free for ages 10 and under. Info, 863-5956.

1 TUESDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: Moms tote their pre-crawling kids to an all-levels flowing yoga class focused on bringing the body back to strength and alignment in a fun, nurturing environment. Evolution Prenatal and Family Yoga Center, Burlington, 10:45-11:55 a.m. $15 or $130 for a 10-class pass. Info, 864-9642.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: Mothers-to-be build strength, stamina, comfort and a stronger connection to their baby in this all-levels class.

Evolution Prenatal and Family Yoga Center, Burlington, 4:15-5:30 p.m. and 4:15-5:30 p.m. $15 or $130 for 10-class pass. Info, 864-9642. chace mill Prenatal Yoga: Women prepare for birth through yoga, with a focus on strengthening the body and mind. See prenatalmethod. com for class descriptions. Prenatal Method Studio, Burlington, 12:15-1:15 & 4:30-5:30 p.m. $15. Info, 829-0211.

montpelier Postnatal Yoga: Brand-new mamas and their littles relax, stretch and bond. For moms with babies up to age 1 including early crawlers. Emerge with Amy LepageHansen, Montpelier, 10:45 a.m.-noon. $15. Info, 223-5302.

Fairs & Festivals

champlain Valley Fair: Cotton-candy fun and carny curiosities collide at the state’s largest fair, complete with midway rides, daily parades and live entertainment. Midway opens at 11 a.m. All ages. Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Junction, 10 a.m. $5-12; free for children under 5; additional tickets required for grandstand concerts and rides. Info, 878-5545.

Games

Family Game Night: Families take over the library’s tabletops for a fun evening. Ages 5 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 849-2420.

Health & Fitness

catamount Trail Running series: Athletes of all ages and abilities choose between 2.5- and 5- kilometer courses — with a 10K option on the second Tuesday of each month — during this fun evening race. Catamount Outdoor Family Center, Williston, 6 p.m. $3-8; free for children under 8. Info, 879-6001.

Library & Books

Hinesburg crafternoons: Kiddos get creative with different themes and materials. Ages 9 and up. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 482-2878.

movies

Youth media Lab: Aspiring Spielbergs film, edit and produce videos while exploring other areas of digital media. Grades 4 and up. Follows the school calendar. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 388-4097.

music

children’s sing-Along: Parents sip coffee while wee ones break into song with a local musician. Ages 5 and under. The Bees Knees, Morrisville, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 888-7889.

Preschool music: Little ones dance and sing to a lively beat. Ages 3-5. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

submit your october events for print by september 15 at kidsvt.com

Nature & science

Raptors in Residence: The mysteries surrounding birds of prey are revealed as visitors come face-to-face with live owls and hawks. All ages. Shelburne Farms, 1-1:30 p.m. $5-8; free for children under 3. Info, 578-8013.

2 WEDNESDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

Fairs & Festivals

champlain Valley Fair: See September 1.

Food champlain island Farmers market: Farms, specialty food businesses and artisans sell their high-quality wares. St. Rose of Lima Parish, South Hero, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 617-652-2304. middlebury Farmers market: Crafts, cheeses, breads, veggies and more vie for spots in

Classes

shoppers’ totes. Marble Works District, Middlebury, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 537-4754. Woodstock market on the Green: Fresh vegetables, farm eggs, local meats and cheeses, cut flowers, and seasonal fruits and berries represent the best of the growing season. Woodstock Village Green, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 457-3555.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: Energy-filled kids flip, jump and tumble in a state-of-the-art facility. Ages 6 and under. Regal Gymnastics Academy, Essex, 11 a.m.-noon. $8. Info, 655-3300.

Library & Books

colchester Read to Hank the Therapy dog: Summer book lovers share stories with Hank, a sweet retriever, while little ones listen. Ages 4-10. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 11:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

dorothy canfield Fisher Book discussion: Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin engages readers in lively discussion. Ages 8-11 Burnham

Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

Little Boom VT: Tiny hands experience drumming through stories and rhythms. Ages 1-5. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Nature & science

Programs for Preschoolers: Farm activities wow little learners with themed stories, handson activities and a special visit to the barn. Ages 3 and up. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 9-10:30 a.m. $3-5; preregister. Info, 457-2355. Wagon-Ride Wednesdays: Horse-drawn rides provide fun for the whole family. Admission includes all farm programs and activities. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $414; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355.

3 THURSDAY

Arts & crafts

Needle Felt an owl: Budding fiber artists craft a feathered friend in wool with local artist Annette Hansen. Fairfax Community Library, 6-8 p.m. $15; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

List your class or camp here for only $20 per month! submit the listing by september 15 at kidsvt.com or to classes@kidsvt.com.

Baby and Kids Yoga classes at Evolution

Prenatal & Family Yoga center: Bring yoga and wellness into your family’s life with our classes for all ages. We offer 15 weekly classes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children up to teens.  New fall series begin September 14. Pre-registration required. See website for pricing and schedule. Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center, 20 Kilburn St., Burlington. Info, 899-0339, evolutionprenatalandfamily.com

Prenatal Yoga classes at Evolution

Prenatal & Family Yoga center: Have a more comfortable pregnancy and prepare for birth with stretching, strengthening and relaxation. No yoga experience necessary.  Prenatal Yoga:  Sundays, 10 a.m., Mondays 5:45 p.m., Tuesdays 4:15 p.m., Wednesdays 5:45 p.m., Thursdays 12:15 p.m., Fridays 8:15 a.m.  Drop-ins welcome. $15/ class or $130/10 class pass.  Location:  Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center, 20 Kilburn St., Burlington.  Info, 899-0339, evolutionprenatalandfamily.com

Postnatal Yoga classes at Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga center: Join our community of mothers and bring your body back to balance and strength.  For mothers 6 weeks postpartum and on.  Babies under crawling welcome to come with mama!  Postnatal Yoga:  Sundays 12:15 p.m., Tuesdays, 10:45 a.m. Postnatal Core: Fridays at noon. Drop-ins welcome. $15/class or $130/10 class pass.  Location:  Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center, 20 Kilburn St., Burlington.  Info, 899-0339, evolutionprenatalandfamily.com

Little music makers: This fun, action-packed Saturday morning music and movement program offers interactive, developmentally enriching activities

for caregivers and their children, ages 5 and under. Activities include guitar sing-alongs, rhythm instruments, knee bounces, colorful ribbons, finger plays, kazoos, peekaboo songs, scarves, beach balls, lullabies, finger plays, kazoos, peekaboo songs, scarves, movement to music, parachute fun and lots of bubbles! Session 1: September 26–October 31, Session 2: November 14–December 19. Family Music Makers (ages 0 – 5 yrs.): 9-9:45 a.m., Preschool Music Makers (ages 2.5 - 5 yrs.):10-10:45 a.m., Toddler & Baby Music Makers (ages 0 - 2.5 yrs.): 11-11:45

a.m. Cost: Toddler/Baby and Preschool Music: $55 for Colchester residents/$60 for non-residents. Family Music: Two children for $100 for Colchester residents/$105 for nonresidents. Location: Colchester Meeting House, 830 Main St., Colchester. Register online at colchestervt.gov /333/Parks-Recreation, then click on Online Registration, then Preschool Programs. Info, 264-5640, elliesparties@comcast.net

Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Brazilian JiuJitsu for children promotes self-esteem, self-defense and bully-proofing, character development, a physical outlet with discipline, cooperation with other children, respect for peers and adults, perseverance and a healthy lifestyle. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will help your kids learn skills they can use for the rest of their lives; regular BJJ training builds endurance, resilience, patience, discipline, self respect and helps to instill courage and self confidence. First class is free! Free uniform with first-month enrollment fee. Location: Vermont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 55 Leroy Rd., Williston. To register, contact 660-4072, julio@bjjusa.com or stop by our school. vermontbjj.com

Webby’s Art studio: The museum’s temporary and permanent exhibitions inspire specialized art activities for all ages. Shelburne Museum, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Regular admission, $7-24; free for children under 5. Info, 985-3346.

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

chace mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1. Essex La Leche League: Moms bring their little ones to a discussion of parenting and breastfeeding. First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 383-8544.

community

summervale: Live music, Slow Food Vermont tastings, kids’ crafts and food-focused activities varying by week promise locavore fun in the sun. No pets. Burlington Intervale Center, 5:308 p.m. Free admission; cost of food and drink. Info, 660-0440.

Fairs & Festivals

champlain Valley Fair: See September 1.

Games

Join the cHAmP and the Lake monsters for Kids Eat Free: The first 400 kids through the gates receive a voucher for a free hot dog, drink and chips. Centennial Field, Burlington, gates, 6p.m.; game, 7 p.m. $5-15. Info, 655-6611.

Health & Fitness

Yoga with danielle: Simple movement, stories and songs satisfy children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

Library & Books music

snow Farm Vineyard summer concert series: Weather permitting, crowds gather for a weekly rotation of classical, jazz, swing, bluegrass and rock. Picnicking begins at 5 p.m.;

O’er the Hills

What better way to explore the scenic landscape of Cabot and peacham than on two wheels? caBoT RidE THE RidGEs, a 10K fundraiser for mentoring program Cabot Connects, takes bikers of all ages over paved and dirt roads, through farm fields and forests. there’s an option to run or walk the route, too. more experienced bikers choose a 30K or 60K course, with the seriously rugged registering for the 100K. après ride, participants and spectators enjoy lunch featuring a local lineup of food, including Woodbelly pizza, Kingdom Creamery of Vermont ice cream and Jasper Hill Farm cheese. let the good times roll.

caBoT RidE THE RidGEs: Sunday, September 13, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at Cabot High School. All ages. $15-25; $40 per family; free for children 12 and under. Ticket includes lunch; $10 for lunch only. ridetheridges.net

music starts at 6:30 p.m. Food and drink available to purchase from various vendors. Snow Farm Vineyard, South Hero, 5-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 372-9463.

Nature & science

Raptors in Residence: See September 1.

4 FRIDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

mother’s Gathering: Moms and new babies spread out, sip tea, nurse and share stories. Children under age 2. Yoga Mountain Center, Montpelier, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 223-5302.

community

Burlington Fire Trucks at EcHo: Fire prevention pros offer safety tips and open their truck doors for a tour. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. $10.5013.50 regular admission; free for children under 3. Info, 864-1848.

Fairs & Festivals

champlain Valley Fair: See September 1. Vermont state Fair: Crowds converge on the midway for circus acts, racing pigs, demolition derbies and live music at this annual ag-centric affair. Vermont State Fairgrounds, Rutland, 5-10 p.m. $10-12 per day; free for children 12 and under with an adult; $5 parking fee. Info, 775-5200.

Food

Five corners Farmers market: From natural meats to breads and wines, farmers share the bounty of the growing season at an outdoor exchange, complete with live entertainment and kids’ activities. Lincoln Place, Essex Junction, 3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 5cornersfarmersmarket@ gmail.com.

Foodways Fridays: Visitors tour the heirloom garden, then watch how veggies make their way into historic recipes prepared in the 1890 farmhouse kitchen. All ages. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $4-14; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355.

Richmond Farmers market: Vendors peddle hand-held pies, honey ice cream, homemade pickles, just-picked produce and much more at this lively showcase of locavorism. All ages. Volunteers Green, Richmond, 3-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 343-9778.

Games

magic: The Gathering: Planeswalkers seek knowledge and glory in this trading-card game. New players welcome. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See September 2. submit

Balance

Childhood

3 THuRsdaY (Continued)

Library & Books

Brownell Drop-in Story Time: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers stop by for picture books and finger plays. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org.

Early Bird Math: Young children and their caregivers put two and two together using interactive books, songs and games to explore arithmetic concepts. Ages 3-5. Richmond Free Library, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 434-3036.

Movies

Hardwick Movie Night: The Jeudevine Library presents a family-friendly movie on the Town House’s big screen in conjunction with Hardwick’s First Friday festivities. Hardwick Town House, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 472-5948.

Music

Burlington Music With Robert: Families sing along with a local legend. All ages. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: Toe-tapping tunes captivate kiddies. Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 660-9346.

5 SATURDAY

Arts & Crafts

Kids’ Building Workshop: Handy helpers learn do-it-yourself skills and tool safety as they construct seasonal projects. Ages 5-12. Home Depot, Williston, 9 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister at workshops.homedepot.com. Info, 872-0039.

Saturday Kids Drop-In Craft Class: Little hands create craft projects with seasonal or holiday themes, including leaf wind chimes, pumpkin lanterns and harvest moon mirrors. Ages 5-15. Parent must accompany. Shelburne Craft School, 10-11 a.m. $10 per child. Info, 985-3648.

Traditional Craft Saturdays: Local artisans demonstrate toothbrush rugs, basket and chair- seat making, leather tanning and woodworking. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $4-14; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355.

Webby’s Art Studio: See September 3.

Baby & Maternity

Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Community

Over the Edge for the Flynn: 100 intrepid adventurers rappel nine stories down one of the tallest buildings in Burlington to raise funds for the Flynn. Courtyard Marriott Harbor Hotel, Burlington, Free. Info, 652-4533.

Education

Archaeology at ECHO: Fledgling prehistorians make pinch pots, participate in a flint knapping demo of projectile points and bring in their own ancient finds for experts to identify. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 1-5 p.m. Regular admission, $10.50-13.50; free for children under 3. Info, 864-1848.

Summer Naturalist Program: Hands-on exploration of the natural world — from bugs to trees — piques the curiosity of kids of all ages,

followed by a craft or game. Mill Trail Property, Stowe, 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Free. Info, 253-7221.

Fairs & Festivals

Champlain Valley Fair: See September 1.

Dawson Perley Memorial Car Show: Visitors stroll among vehicles and participate in a ra e and silent auction. All proceeds benefit the scholarship fund. Westcom’s Snack Bar, Bakersfield, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free; $15 per car registration. Info, 393-1055.

Vermont State Fair: See September 4, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Food

Burlington Farmers Market: Producers and artisans o er fresh and prepared foods, crafts and more in a bustling marketplace. All ages. Burlington City Hall Park, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 310-5172.

Capital City Farmers Market: Veggies, honey, maple syrup and more change hands at a celebration of locally grown food. All ages. Downtown Montpelier, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-2958.

Champlain Island Farmers Market: Farms, specialty food businesses and artisans sell their high-quality wares. St. Joseph Church, Grand Isle, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 617-652-2304.

Chocolate-Bar Making: Budding chocolatiers temper and mold the sweet stu , then create and wrap four goody-filled bars to take home. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult. South End Kitchen, Burlington, 3-4 p.m. $25; preregister. Info, 864-0505.

Middlebury Farmers Market: See September 2.

Rutland Farmers Market: Local vendors sell farm-fresh veggies and fruits, artisan cheese, handcrafted breads and more at this outdoor emporium. Downtown Rutland, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 342-4727.

Shelburne Farmers Market: Musical entertainment adds cheer to this exchange of fruits, veggies, herbs, honey, maple syrup and more. All ages. Shelburne Village Green, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 482-4279.

Library & Books

Milton Therapy Dog Visit: A patient pooch listens to kids read aloud. Ages 3 and up. Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Nature & Science

Full Dome Planetarium: Astronomy enthusiasts learn about celestial objects in this 20-minute program geared toward kids ages 4-8. Arrive 15 minutes in advance of presentation. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, 12:30 p.m. $3 per person; call to reserve tickets. Info, 748-2372.

Raptors in Residence: See September 1.

Playgroups

Kids enjoy fun and games during these informal get-togethers, and caregivers connect with other local parents and peers. The groups are usually free and often include snacks, arts and crafts, or music. Contact the playgroup organizer or visit kidsvt.com for site-specific details.

MONDAY

Burlington Crawlers, Waddlers & Toddlers: St. Joseph School, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 862-2121.

Burlington Playgroup: Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 578-6471.

Charlotte Playgroup: Charlotte Central School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 764-5820.

Jericho Playgroup: Jericho Community Center, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.

Swanton Monday Playgroup: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 9:45-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 868-7656.

TUESDAY

Bradford Playgroup: Grace United Methodist Church, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24.

Brookfield Playgroup: First Congregational Church of Brookfield, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24.

Burlington Dads’ Night: VNA Family Room, 3-7 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420. Essex Junction Building Bright Futures Playgroup: Maple Street Recreation Center, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 876-7555.

Johnson Baby Chat: Church of the Nazarene, fourth Tuesday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3470.

WEDNESDAY

Burlington Playgroup: See Monday.

Chace Mill New Mothers’ & Infants’ Playgroup: Prenatal Method Studio, 1:30-3 p.m. $3 suggested donation. Info, 829-0211. Essex Building Bright Futures Baby Playgroup: Move You Fitness Studio, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 876-7555.

Fairfield Playgroup: Bent Northrop Memorial Library, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 827-3945.

Hinesburg Playgroup: Hinesburg Town Hall, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 482-4667.

Richmond Playgroup: Richmond Free Library, 8:45-10:15 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.

Shelburne Playgroup: Trinity Episcopal Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 764-5820.

South Royalton Playgroup: United Church on the Green, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 6852264, ext. 24.

St. Albans Building Better Families Playgroup: NCSS Family Center, St. Albans, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Williston Babytime Playgroup: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, first Wednesday of every month, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

THURSDAY

Alburgh Playgroup: NCSS Family Center, Alburgh, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Brandon Stories & Crafts: Brandon Free Public Library, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 247-8230.

Burlington EvoMamas Playgroup: Evolution Prenatal and Family Yoga Center, second Thursday of every month, 10:2011:50 a.m. Free. Info, 864-9642.

Essex Junction Building Bright Futures Playgroup: See Tuesday, 9:30-11 a.m.

Montgomery Playgroup: Montgomery Town Library, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Randolph Playgroup: White River Craft Center, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24.

West Fairlee Playgroup: Westshire Elementary School, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 6852264, ext. 24.

Williston Play Time: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 878-4918.

FRIDAY

Huntington Playgroup: Huntington Public Library, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 899-4415. Montgomery Tumble Time: Montgomery Elementary School, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 347-1780.

Randolph Toddler Time: Kimball Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 728-5073. Swanton Friday Playgroup: Swanton Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 868-3033.

Underhill Playgroup: Underhill Central School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.

SATURDAY

Morrisville Baby Chat: Lamoille Family Center, second Saturday of every month, 1011:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-5229.

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org.

It’s never too late to start.

Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent, or just someone interested in saving for a child’s future, a Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan (VHEIP) account is an easy way to get started. It’s the only 529 college savings plan that qualifies for a Vermont income tax credit. You can open an account online or request an enrollment form by mail. Visit vheip.org or call 1-800-637-5860 to learn more.

SEPT CALENDAR

6 SUNDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See September 1, 12:15-1:30 p.m.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 10-11:30 a.m.

Community

admission, $3.50-7; preregister. Info, 434-2167.

VHEIP is sponsored by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, a public nonprofit established by the Vermont legislature in 1965 to help Vermont students and families plan and pay for college. VHEIP investment management is provided by Intuition College Savings Solutions, LLC (ICSS). Consider the investment objectives, risks, and expenses before investing and read the disclosure booklet available online or by mail. Investments in VHEIP are neither insured nor guaranteed, and there is the risk of investment loss. Before investing in a 529 plan, you should consider whether your state has a 529 plan that offers favorable state income tax or other benefits that are available only if you invest in that state’s 529 plan.

See Dr. First videos

“First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org.

Labor & Leisure Day: Families pitch in on the farm, helping to build a split-rail fence and scrub laundry on a washboard. Come quittin’ time, they hop a wagon ride and sample some fresh-churned ice cream. All ages. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $4-14; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355.

Soccer for Soles 3 vs 3 Festival: Spirited players raise money for needy soccer programs in the U.S. and Africa. Music, an auction and local food vendors lend a festive air. Ages 6 and up. Browns River Middle School, Jericho, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $20 per player; preregister. Info, 371-7870.

Education

Archaeology at ECHO: See September 5.

Fairs & Festivals

Champlain Valley Fair: See September 1. New World Festival: More than 70 musicians celebrate Vermont’s Celtic and French Canadian heritage through traditional tunes, children’s activities and dance. Chandler Music Hall, Randolph, noon-11 p.m. $12-39; free for children ages 2-12. Info, 728-6464.

Vermont State Fair: See September 4, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Food

Stowe Farmers Market: Live music, food and craft vendors make for a bustling atmosphere. All ages. Stowe Farmers Market, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 472-8027.

Winooski Farmers Market: Local produce, farm goods, artisan crafts, kids’ activities and tunes come together on the banks of the Winooski River. Champlain Mill, Winooski, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, winooskimarket@gmail. com.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See September 2, 1-2:30 p.m.

Music

Music in the Meadow: The mountains and sunset provide a backdrop for an outdoor concert, with lots of space for picnicking. Gates open two hours before performance. Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, 5:30 p.m. $10-30. Info, 253-5720.

Nature & Science

Full Dome Planetarium: See September 5. Sundays for Fledglings: Aspiring junior birders learn all about the work birds do through observation, research and goofing around.

Ages 5-9; siblings welcome. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 2-2:45 p.m. Regular

7 MONDAY Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

Chace Mill Prenatal Barre: Momsto-be get a ballet-inspired workout. Prenatal Method Studio, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $15. Info, 829-0211.

Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

La Leche League: Moms and moms-to-be drop in for help with specific nursing questions and to connect with others. Babies and older children welcome. Vermont Department of Health, St. Johnsbury, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 274-1023.

Pee Wee Pilates: New moms strengthen their cores with babies in tow. Prenatal Method Studio, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $15. Info, 646-206-0514.

Fairs & Festivals

Vermont State Fair: See September 4, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See September 2.

Kids’ Crit: Young cyclists circle city blocks in a junior noncompetitive version of the Burlington Criterium, in honor of Richard Tom. Burlington City Hall Park, 1 p.m. Free; preregistration required. Info, 849-9863.

Library & Books

Babies & Toddlers Rock: Little musicians ages 24 months and under sing songs and engage in early literacy activities. Rutland Free Library, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 773-1860.

8 TUESDAY

Arts & Crafts

Preschool Art: Little artists dig into clay, paint, collage and printmaking. (See spotlight on page 38.) Shelburne Craft School, 10-11 a.m. $10 per child. Info, 985-3648.

Baby & Maternity

Burlington La Leche League: New moms bring their questions to a breastfeeding support group. Babies and older children welcome. Lending library available. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 985-8228.

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See September 1.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1.

Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1.

Montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See September 1.

Community

JUDA Welcome Day: An open house welcomes interested visitors to hear about curriculum and kids’ holiday activities while mingling with other families. Chabad Jewish Community Center, Burlington, 3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 658-5770.

The flexibility you want. The college savings you need.

InDigbarre calls itself “the granite center of the World,” and for good reason. Since 1880, workers have been excavating the 4-mile-long, 2-mile-wide and 10-mile-deep rock deposit there. at the bArre GrAniTe FesTiVAl, junior geologists get a taste of the action, sandblasting tiles, etching drawings on rock, and splitting blocks with hand tools. the littlest visitors can construct buildings from foam, ooh and ahh at the working oxen and horses, and climb on an antique train and hefty machinery. Live music, art displays, craft demonstrations and bocce games round out the rockin’ festivities.

bArre GrAniTe FesTiVAl: Saturday, September 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Vermont Granite Museum in Barre. All ages. $2-5; $10 per family. Info, 476-4605. vtgranitemuseum.org

Fairs & Festivals

milton community Activities Fair: The Milton Community Youth Coalition sponsors this annual fair, offering one-stop shopping for families to learn about local sports, recreation, clubs and service opportunities. Milton Elementary/ Middle School, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 893-1009.

Vermont state Fair: See September 4, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Games

Gaming For Teens & Adults: Players of all skill levels engage in Magic: The Gathering and other amusements. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult or have parental

permission to attend. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5-7:45 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Health & Fitness

catamount Trail running series: See September 1.

movies

youth media lab: See September 1.

music

children’s sing-Along: See September 1.

Preschool music: See September 1.

Beth Anne McFadden T.C.R.G. (802) 999-5041

Story Times

MONDAY

Colchester Preschool Story

Time: Burnham Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

Cruisers & Crawlers Play & Stay Story Time: Highgate Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 868-3970.

Essex Preschool Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 879-0313.

Hyde Park Story Time: Lanpher Memorial Library, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 888-4628.

Milton Infant Story Time: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Northfield Children’s Story Time: Brown Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 485-4621.

Richmond Story Time: Richmond Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 434-3036.

Richmond Pajama Story Time: Richmond Free Library, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 434-3036.

St. Albans Story Hour: St. Albans Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

Stowe Story Time for 2- to 3-Year-Olds: Stowe Free Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 253-6145.

Waitsfield Story Time: Joslin Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 496-4205.

Waterbury Baby & Toddler Story Time: Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

Woodstock Baby Story Time: Norman Williams Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295.

TUESDAY

Alburgh Story Hour: Alburgh Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 796-6077.

Barre Children’s Story Hour: Aldrich Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-7550.

Early-literacy skills get special attention during these read-aloud sessions. Some locations provide additional activities such as music, crafts or foreign-language instruction. Contact the story-time organizer or visit kidsvt.com for details.

FALL ACTIVITIES

3.5-mile Corn Maze

Open Daily thru Oct. 31st

Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In

Sept. 26, 1-3pm Hayrides to the Pumpkin Patch Weekends beginning September 26

Festival Days Saturday, October 3 & Sunday, October 4

Come visit our farm market this fall!

Colchester Toddler Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

Craftsbury Story Time: Craftsbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 586-9683.

East Barre Story Time: East Barre Branch Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-5118.

Fairfax Preschool Story Time: Fairfax Community Library, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

Highgate Music & Movement Story Time: Highgate Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 868-3970.

Hinesburg Youngsters Story Time: Carpenter-Carse Library, 9:30-10 a.m. Free. Info, 482-2878.

Milton Preschool Story Time: Milton Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Montpelier Story Time: Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

South Burlington Tiny Tot Time: South Burlington Community Library, 9:15 & 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.

Williston Story Time: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

Winooski Pajama Time: Winooski Memorial Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 655-6424.

Woodstock Preschool Story Time: Norman Williams Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295.

WEDNESDAY

Barnes & Noble Story Time: Barnes & Noble, South Burlington, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.

Essex Drop-In Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.

Essex Toddler Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 879-0313.

Highgate Music & Movement Story Time: See Tuesday.

Hyde Park Story Time: See Monday, 10 a.m.

Johnson Story Time: Johnson Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 635-7141.

Norwich Story Time: Norwich Public Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 649-1184.

Marshfield Story & Activity Time: Jaquith Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

Quechee Story Time: Quechee Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 295-1232.

Randolph Morning Story Time: Kimball Public Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 728-5073.

South Burlington Baby Book Time: South Burlington Community Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.

Stowe Story Hour: Stowe Free Library, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 253-6145.

Swanton Storytime: Swanton Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 868-7656.

Warren Preschool Story & Enrichment Hour: Warren Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 595-2582.

THURSDAY

Colchester Preschool StoryTime: See Monday.

Northfield Children’s Story Time: See Monday.

Rutland Story Time: Rutland Free Library, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 773-1860.

Shelburne Story Time: Pierson Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 985-5124.

St. Albans Story Hour: See Monday.

Vergennes Story Time: Bixby Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 877-2211.

Westford Story Time: Westford Public Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-5639.

FRIDAY

Brandon Preschool Story Time: Brandon Free Public Library, first Friday of every month, 2 p.m. Free. Info, 247-8230.

Craftsbury Story Time: See Tuesday. Enosburg Story Hour: Enosburg Public Library, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 933-2328.

Georgia Preschool Story Time: Georgia Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 524-4643.

Huntington Story Time: Huntington Public Library, 10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 434-4583.

Lincoln Toddler/Preschool Story Time: Lincoln Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 453-2665.

Milton Toddler Story Time & Craft: Milton Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Montpelier Story Time: See Tuesday. Rock, Roll & Read Drop-In Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.

South Burlington Pajamarama: Barnes & Noble, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.

St. Johnsbury Story Time: St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 748-8291. Stowe Baby & Toddler Story Time: Stowe Free Library, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 253-6145.

Waterbury Preschool Story Time: Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

SATURDAY

Barnes & Noble Saturday Morning Story Time: Barnes & Noble, South Burlington, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.

Barre Story Time: Next Chapter Bookstore, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-3114.

Burlington Story Time at Phoenix Books: Phoenix Books, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 448-3350.

Colchester Saturday Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

Enosburg Story Hour: Enosburg Public Library, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 933-2328.

Swanton Storytime: See Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

8 TUESDAY (CONTINUED)

Nature & Science

Raptors in Residence: See September 1.

Story Time in the Nestlings

Nook: Tales about birds are followed by a nature walk, crafts or music, depending on the weather. Intended for preschoolers, but all ages welcome. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Regular admission; $3.50-7. Info, 434-2167.

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org.

Nature & Science

Programs for Preschoolers: See September 2. Wagon-Ride Wednesdays: See September 2.

10 THURSDAY

Arts & Crafts

Webby’s Art Studio: See September 3.

Baby & Maternity

9 WEDNESDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

Education

History for Homeschoolers: Eager learners dive into history-related activities organized around di erent monthly themes. Ages 6-12. Check vermonthistory.org for specific details. Vermont History Museum, Montpelier, 1-3 p.m. $6.50-8; preregister. Space is limited. Info, 828-2291.

Fairs & Festivals

Vermont State Fair: See September 4, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Food

Champlain Island Farmers Market: See September 2.

Middlebury Farmers Market: See September 2.

Woodstock Market on the Green: See September 2.

Games

Dungeons & Dragons Night: Players assume invented personas and use cleverness and luck to overcome challenges, defeat enemies and save the day. Beginners welcome. Ages 9-13. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 5:307:45 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

Family Game Night: Friendly competitions of Candy Land, checkers and Monopoly enliven the library. Bring your own board or borrow from the library. Georgia Public Library, Fairfax, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 524-4643.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See September 2.

Library & Books

Colchester Read to Hank the Therapy Dog: See September 2.

Hinesburg Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Discussion: Middle-schoolers read Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle by George Hagen, then meet to discuss the fantasy story’s riddles and suspense. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 482-2878.

Lego Club: Mini-makers participate in surprise challenges with colorful interlocking blocks. Ages 6 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 849-2420.

Little BOOM VT: See September 2.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1,

Education

History for Homeschoolers: See September 9.

Ongoing Exhibits

ECHO LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN, BURLINGTON

Info, 864-1848

‘Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl: Home Sweet Home’: This traveling exhibit, created in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, teaches young woodland stewards how to care for natural resources through on-the-job forest ranger training. Every other Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, the Burlington Fire Department teaches about preventing fires locally. Through September 13.

FAIRBANKS MUSEUM & PLANETARIUM, ST JOHNSBURY

Info, 748-2372

‘Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas’: Prehistoric bones and computer simulations provide a vivid picture of dinosaur-era life and how our understanding of it has changed in the last two decades. Through December 15.

HELEN DAY ART CENTER, STOWE

Info, 253-8358

‘Exposed’: National and local outdoor sculptures of all size spread through the town of Stowe. Through October 14.

MONTSHIRE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, NORWICH

Info, 649-2200

‘Prehistoric Menagerie’: Life-size sculptures of animals from the Cenozic Age — including a woolly mammoth, a tiny horse and a 7-foot-tall carnivore with the head of a warthog — transport visitors back in time. Through September 7.

10 Thursday (continued)

Fairs & Festivals

Vermont state Fair: See September 4, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Library & Books

colchester Lego club: Mini-makers participate in surprise challenges with colorful interlocking blocks. Ages 6-10. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 4 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

spanish musical Kids: See September 3. st. albans Library Legos: Young building enthusiasts engage in creative construction with their peers. St. Albans Free Library, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

music

music for Preschoolers: Lively tunes with local musicians strike the right note among the wee crowd. Ages 5 and under with a caregiver. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Free; limited to one session per week per family. Info, 878-4918.

Nature & science

raptors in residence: See September 1.

11 FRIDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal yoga: See September 1, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

mother’s Gathering: See September 4.

Education

milton homeschool Project day: Out-ofclassroom learners share their current projects with an audience of parents and siblings. Grades K through 12. Milton Public Library, 2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Fairs & Festivals

south End art hop: Queen City artists come out of the woodwork for this exciting and varied exhibition of visual art. Visit seaba.com for a complete schedule of events, including ones geared towards kids. Various South End locations, Burlington, 5-10 p.m. Free. Info, 859-9222.

Vermont state Fair: See September 4, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Food

Five corners Farmers market: See September 4.

Foodways Fridays: See September 4. richmond Farmers market: See September 4.

Games

dungeons & dragons: Players exercise their problem-solving skills in imaginary battles and adventures. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See September 2.

Library & Books

Early Bird math: See September 4.

music

Burlington music With robert: See September 4.

Kids music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See September 4.

songs and stories with matthew: Listeners of all ages applaud tales and tunes. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

12 SATURDAY

arts & crafts

saturday Kids drop-in craft class: See September 5.

steamroller Printmaking Workshop: Helen Day Art Studio hosts an art making session where families make big prints with heavy machinery. Ages 5 and up with an adult. Drop in any time. Rain date September 13. Sushi Yoshi, Stowe, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $20. Info, 253-8358.

Traditional craft saturdays: See September 5. Webby’s art studio: See September 3.

Baby & maternity

Baby-item sale: Hosted by the local La Leche League and Babywearers, this annual event in its third decade offers affordable, quality goods. Item donations accepted on September 11, 8 a.m.-noon. All ages. Bethany Church, Montpelier, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 244-1254.

chace mill Prenatal yoga: See September 1, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Education

Brown’s raid–reenactment: The past comes to life in this historic surprise attack, complete with costumes, music and artifacts. See fortticonderoga.org for a detailed schedule of events.

Fort Ticonderoga, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $8-19.50; children under 5 free. Info, 518-585-2821. summer Naturalist Program: See September 5.

Fairs & Festivals

Glory days Festival: An annual familyoriented fest celebrates the town’s choo-choo history with children’s entertainment, a model train show, live music and engine displays. Saturday’s train ride winds along the Connecticut River. Downtown, White River Junction, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free; $10 for train excursion. Info, 295-5036.

Kids hop: A kid-friendly complement to SEABA’s South End Art Hop, Kids Hop offers creative opportunities including recycled art projects, painting, wood crafts and various demonstrations. See seaba.com for events and other locations. Designed for kids ages 3-12. SEABA Tent, Burlington, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 859-9222.

south End art hop: See September 11, 10 a.m.9 p.m.

Vermont state Fair: See September 4, 8 a.m.10 p.m.

Food Burlington Farmers Market:

See September 5.

Capital City Farmers Market:

See September 5.

Champlain Island Farmers

Market: See September 5.

Chocolate Sculpture Demo:

A master chocolatier demonstrates how to make Alice in Wonderland-themed sweet figures. All ages. South End Kitchen, Burlington, 2-3 p.m. Free. Info, 864-0505.

proceeds benefit the Children’s Room. Info, 244-5605.

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org.

Middlebury Farmers Market: See September 2.

Rutland Farmers Market: See September 5.

Shelburne Farmers Market: See September 5.

Health & Fitness

Fun Run/Walk: This fundraiser for Hunger Mountain Children’s Center begins with a noncompetitive one-mile race, followed by family festivities and food. Rusty Parker Memorial Park, Waterbury, 3-7 p.m. $10-25; $60 per family; free for children 2 and under; $10 per person for food and fun only. Info, 244-5544.

PCA Walk & Run to End Child Abuse: Runners and walkers show support for child abuse prevention by competing in a family-friendly event. T-shirts, hot dogs and snacks provided. Check-in 8 a.m. Vermont Statehouse, Montpelier. Check-in, 8 a.m.; event, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 229-5724.

Library & Books

Café Make: Patrons of all ages drop in during this open time for creative collaboration around using the library’s resources. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 482-2878.

Spanish Musical Playgroup: Rhymes, books, songs and crafts en español entertain niños Snacks provided. Ages 5 and under. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m.noon. Free. Info, 878-4918.

Nature & Science

Beautiful Birds: Games, activities and observation help avian enthusiasts learn about native flyers. Ages 3 and up. Gardener’s Supply, Williston, 10-11 a.m. $5 donation to Audubon Vermont; preregister. Info, 658-2433.

Bird-Monitoring Walk: Beginning birders embrace ornithology on an identification walk. All ages. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Donations appreciated. Info, 434-3068.

Full Dome Planetarium: See September 5. Raptors in Residence: See September 1.

13 SUNDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See September 1, 12:15-1:30 p.m.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 10-11:30 a.m.

Community

Barn Dance: Refreshments, live music, hayrides, games, a silent auction and a pie contest make for family fun. Beard’s Barn, Waterbury Center, 2-5 p.m. $15 per person; $20 per family;

Open Streets BTV: People of all ages bike, stroll, roll, dance and skate along car-free streets in the Old North End, amid activities and food geared toward families. Burlington’s Old North End, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 881-7767.

Education

Brown’s Raid–Reenactment: See September 12.

Fairs & Festivals

Bee Here Now Festival: The honey makers steal the show at this celebration with an observation hive, quilt activity and parade. Dress up as a bee for a chance to win a prize.

Shelburne Orchards, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 985-2753.

Glory Days Festival: See September 12. South End Art Hop: See September 11, noon-4 p.m.

Food

Stowe Farmers Market: See September 6. Winooski Farmers Market: See September 6.

Health & Fitness

Cabot Ride the Ridges: Families enjoy a 10K bike, run or walk tour of one of the most beautiful ridges in Cabot, while more experienced riders navigate 30-100K courses. A feast of local foods follows. (See spotlight on page 28.)

Cabot School, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. $15-25; $40 per family. Free for children ages 12 and under. Price includes lunch. Info, 563-3338.

Essex Open Gym: See September 2, 1-2:30 p.m.

Nature & Science

Full Dome Planetarium: See September 5. Wild Mushrooms of Autumn: Hunting for wild edibles is made accessible and entertaining in a colorful presentation, followed by a foray into the woods to hunt for the gourmet goods. Ages 12 and up. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 1-3 p.m. $25-30; preregister. Info, 434-3068.

14 MONDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

Chace Mill Prenatal Barre: See September 7.

Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Pee Wee Pilates: See September 7.

Food

Mama Mangez: Families prepare and share a meal and conversation. Tulsi Tea Room, Montpelier, 4-6 p.m. Free; ingredient donation optional. Info, 595-7953.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See September 2.

(802) 475-2022 www.lcmm.org

Artists-in-Training

Health & Fitness

Catamount Trail Running Series: See September 1.

Movies

Youth Media Lab: See September 1.

Music

Children’s Sing-Along: See September 1. Preschool Music: See September 1.

Nature & Science

Raptors in Residence: See September 1.

16 WEDNESDAY

Arts & Crafts

Crafternoon: Little art lovers make a handson masterpiece. South Burlington Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

Food

Champlain Island Farmers Market: See September 2.

Middlebury Farmers Market: See September 2.

Woodstock Market on the Green: See September 2.

Providing a mixed-aged, developmental program for children 3 - 9 years of age.

Providing a mixed-aged, developmental program for children 3-12 years of age.

The Shelburne Craft School opened its doors in 1945, bolstered by the belief that working with one’s hands is an important element of a well-rounded life. Today, more than 1,500 people every year enroll in classes there that teach skills such as blacksmithing, woodworking and stained-glass making. This fall a new drop-in program, PRESCHOOL ART, gives little ones and their caregivers an opportunity to dig into wet clay or paste up collages Eric Carle-style. Kids investigate lines, shapes, colors and textures and instructors offer stories and practical tips for nourishing kids’ budding creativity. The adults are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and get messy, too.

PRESCHOOL ART: Tuesdays, September 8 toDecember 15, 10-11 a.m. at the Shelburne Craft School. Ages 3-5. $10 per child. Info, 985-3648. theshelburnecraftschool.org

Baby & Maternity

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See September 2.

Library & Books

Colchester Pajama Story Time: Small ones curl up for bedtime tales, cookies and milk. Ages 18 months-5 years. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

Colchester Read to Hank the Therapy Dog: See September 2.

Little BOOM VT: See September 2.

Movies

Film: Winged Migration: A big-screen event wows viewers with a bird’s-eye perspective. All ages. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

Library & Books

A child-centered alternative education.

Burlington Stories With Megan: Preschoolers have a ball with rhymes, songs and books. Ages 2-5. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Breastfeeding Cafe: Moms nurse their babies, chat and pose questions to a certified lactation consultant. Pregnant women, supportive dads and older siblings welcome. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 349-3825.

Marshfield Family-Themed Movies: A wholesome flick entertains viewers of all ages. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

Nature & Science

Programs for Preschoolers: See September 2.

Wagon-Ride Wednesdays: See September 2.

…dedicated to the philosophy and teachings of Maria Montessori

A child-centered alternative education. Montpelier Montessori School

.. dedicated to the philosophy and teachings of Maria Montessori

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See September 10, 11 a.m.

15 TUESDAY

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See September 1.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1.

Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1.

Montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See September 1.

Parenting

Breastfeeding Families Group: Nursing moms (and supportive dads, too!) gather for snacks and advice. Church of the Nazarene, Johnson, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 888-3470.

Berlin, VT

Berlin, VT www.mscvt.org

Arts & Crafts

Preschool Art: See September 8.

Games

Gaming For Teens & Adults: See September 8.

All inquiries:

802.223.3320

All inquiries: 802.223.3320

COURTESY OF SHELBURNE CRAFT SCHOOL

SEPT CALENDAR

17 THURSDAY

Arts & Crafts

Crafternoon: Fairy Houses: Artsy kids make miniature houses from natural materials. Ages 6 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

Webby’s Art Studio: See September 3.

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1.

Fairs & Festivals

The Tunbridge World’s Fair: This old-fashioned agricultural extravaganza, in its 144th year, features Antique Hill, free entertainment and livestock shows. Midway priced separately. Tunbridge Fairgrounds, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. $10-15; $35 season pass; free for children under 12. Info, 889-5555.

Library & Books

Colchester Lego Club: See September 10. Spanish Musical Kids: See September 3.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See September 10.

The Wiggles: The Rock n’ Roll Preschool tour

get kids all shook up. Dorothy the Dinosaur and Captain Feathers join in the fun. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 6:30 p.m. $28.50-44.50. Info, 775-0570.

Nature & Science

Critter Construction: Hold onto your hard hat! Preschoolers explore di erent styles of animal structures, from bird nests to beaver lodges, then create their own cozy hideaways. Ages 3-5. Meet at the sugarhouse parking area. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 9-10:30 a.m. $8-10 per adult-child pair; $4 for each additional child; preregister. Info, 434-3068.

Homeschoolers’ Day: Science & Nature: Young scientists experiment, observe and collect data with the museum as a 100-acre laboratory. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $11-14; free for children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Raptors in Residence: See September 1.

18 FRIDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Mother’s Gathering: See September 4.

Community

Save the NEKCA Teen Center: This fundraiser to keep the Teen Center in Newport open features live music and a silent auction. The Knoll Barn, Derby, 6-9 p.m. $10. Info, 334-8237.

Education

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org.

Homeschool Day: Students learn about the life of an 18th-century soldier on a day exclusively reserved for homeschool groups. All ages. Fort Ticonderoga, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Regular admission, $8-17.50; free for kids under 5. Info, 518-585-2821.

Fairs & Festivals

The Tunbridge World’s Fair: See September 17, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

Food

Five Corners Farmers Market: See September 4. Foodways Fridays: See September 4. Richmond Farmers Market: See September 4.

Games

Kids’ Night Out: Youngsters enjoy an evening of dinner, a movie and games. Grades K-6. David

Gale Recreation Center, Stowe, 6-10 p.m. $15 per person. Info, 253-3054.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See September 2.

Library & Books

Early Bird Math: See September 4. Jiggity Jog: A musical meet-up with Miss Susan includes singing, dancing and instrument playing. Ages 2-6. South Burlington Community Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7539.

Music

Burlington Music With Robert: See September 4.

Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See September 4.

Songs and Stories with Matthew: See September 11.

19 SATURDAY

Arts & Crafts

DIY SmartPhone Gloves: Tech-savvy kids use conductive thread to transform a pair of their

own gloves. Fairfax Community Library, 1011:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420. saturday Kids drop-in craft class: See September 5.

Traditional craft saturdays: See September 5. Webby’s Art studio: See September 3.

Baby & maternity

chace mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

community

children’s day: Young visitors play Victorianera games and explore this historic building with a scavenger hunt. All ages. Noyes House Museum, Morrisville, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free; donations accepted; preregister. Info, 888-7617.

milton Touch a Truck: Beep, beep! Kids climb aboard awesome autos and talk to their drivers. All ages. Bombardier Park, Milton, 9 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 893-4922.

dance

Ballets with a Twist: mint Julep & other spirited dances: Classical dance mixes with lively choreography and colorful costumes. (See spotlight on page 26.) Recommended for ages 7 and up. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe, 7:30 p.m. $20-59. Info, 760-4634.

Education

Barre Granite Festival: The local history of stonecutting is celebrated through folk music, exhibits and hands-on kids’ activities. (See spotlight on page 33.) Vermont Granite Museum, Barre, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $2-5; $10 per family. Info, 476-4605.

summer Naturalist Program: See September 5.

Fairs & Festivals

Eat By Northeast: The Skinny Pancake and Higher Ground present this weekend celebration of Vermont food, with kid-friendly programming including scavenger hunts, farmer Olympics, hands-on science experiments and building challenges. Preregister for some events at eatxne.com. (See spotlight on page 42.) Oakledge Park, Burlington, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission; donations benefit local food nonprofits. Info, 652-0777.

Harvest Festival: Families celebrate autumnal abundance in style with hayrides, children’s activities, fall foods and musicians on multiple stages. Shelburne Farms, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Regular admission, $5-10; free for children under 2. Info, 985-8686.

The Tunbridge World’s Fair: See September 17, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Food

Burlington Farmers market: See September 5.

capital city Farmers market: See September 5.

champlain island Farmers market: See September 5.

middlebury Farmers market: See September 2.

Rutland Farmers market: See September 5. shelburne Farmers market: See September 5.

Health & Fitness

EvoKids saturday Yoga: Youngsters master basic yoga poses through games, songs and dance. Mindfulness activities help them improve their focus and concentration. Ages 3-9. Evolution Prenatal and Family Yoga Center, Burlington, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. $15. Info, 864-9642.

PcA Walk & Run to End child Abuse: See September 12. First Unitarian Universalist Church Lawn, Burlington; Howe Center, Rutland, check-in, 8 a.m.; event, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 229-5724.

Library & Books

Burlington curiosity day: Curious George is featured in the 11 a.m. story hour, with monkey

business all day. Phoenix Books Burlington, Free. Info, 872-7111.

Essex curiosity day: Little admirers of the small renowned monkey named George enjoy some monkey business. All day. Phoenix Books, Essex Junction, Free. Info, 872-7111. milton Therapy dog Visit: See September 5.

movies

movie matinee: A family-friendly film plays on the big screen. Snacks provided. Milton Public Library, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

music

Burlington Taiko, “drums, drums, drums”: Listeners enjoy this Japanese musical performance, then participate in the finale. Bring a chair or blanket for seating. Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hanover, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 603-646-2422.

Nature & science

celebration of Birds: Avid avian fans delight in this fête of feathered friends featuring exhibits, speakers and food. Staige Hill Farm, Charlotte, 4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 434-3068.

Full dome Planetarium: See September 5. Live caterpillar Zoo: Naturalist and photographer Sam Jaffe guides visitors to discover

Amy LePage-Hansen

Pregnancy, Birth and Motherhood

* Pelvic Floor Workshop - Sept. 27th

* Diastasis Workshop - Nov. 15th

* Monthly Mother Nurture Donation Yoga

* Private & Group Birth Preparation Sessions

* Prenatal & Postpartum Yoga and New Mom Wellness

amy.emergeyoga@gmail.com

802-778-0300 • www.emergeyoga.net

HATHAWAY FARM & CORN MAZE

You’re Lost… You’re Laughin’… You’re LOVIN’ it!

12-acre “Under the Sea” Maze, New this Year… Smartphone Games & Pedal Go-Karts! Livestock Barn * Play Area

Mini Maze SNACK SHACK & WAGON RIDES ON THE WEEKENDS!

Sept calendar

Meaningful Munching

Foodies young and old get their fill of burlington’s locavore culture during EaT BY NoRTHEasT, a two-day celebration featuring homegrown food, drink and music. the second annual festival aims to both entertain and educate on how to “go local” while raising $20,000 for food-focused nonprofits. adults can learn to grow veggies and raise backyard chickens in 45-minute workshops, or attend cooking demos and lessons from the area’s top chefs. Kiddos compete in sack races, scavenger hunts and a farmer Olympics (overalls optional). bring your picnic blanket, Frisbee and, most importantly, a big appetite.

EaT BY NoRTHEasT: Saturday and Sunday, September 19 & 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Oakledge Park in Burlington. All ages. Free; fee for some events. Info, info@ eatbynortheast.com. eatxne.com.

the largest, spiniest and wackiest caterpillars residing in their own backyards. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $3-5. Info, 229-6206.

Raptors in Residence: See September 1.

20 SUNDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See September 1, 12:15-1:30 p.m.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 10-11:30 a.m.

Fairs & Festivals

Eat By Northeast: See September 19. The Tunbridge World’s Fair: See September 17, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Food stowe Farmers market: See September 6. Winooski Farmers market: See September 6.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See September 2, 1-2:30 p.m. shelburne Farms Fun Run: Young racers hoof it along half-, one- and 1.5-mile courses, with parents encouraged to lace up, too. Registration at 12:30 p.m. Ages 4-12. Shelburne Farms, 1 p.m. $3-5. Info, 863-8412.

Nature & science

Full dome Planetarium: See September 5. sundays for Fledglings: See September 6.

21 MONDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

with

Tea Collection

Chace Mill Prenatal Barre: See September 7. Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1. 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Pee Wee Pilates: See September 7.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See September 2.

Library & Books

Babies & Toddlers Rock: See September 7. 10-10:30 a.m.

Middlebury Farmers Market: See September 2. Woodstock Market on the Green: See September 2.

Games

Dungeons & Dragons Night: See September 9.

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org.

Burlington Stories With Megan: See September 14.

Milton Legos at the Library: Kids construct creatively with colored blocks. Grades k-5. Milton Public Library, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Pajama Story Time: Flannel-clad kiddos bring their favorite stu ed animals for seasonal tales, crafts and a bedtime snack. All ages. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See September 10. 11 a.m.

22 TUESDAY

Arts & Crafts

Preschool Art: See September 8.

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See September 1.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1.

Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1.

Montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See September 1.

Games

Gaming For Teens & Adults: See September 8.

Library & Books

Read to Van Gogh the Cat: Feline fanciers sign up for 10-minute sessions with a furry friend. All ages. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister for reading slot. Info, 878-4918.

Movies

Youth Media Lab: See September 1.

Music

Children’s Sing-Along: See September 1.

Preschool Music: See September 1.

23 WEDNESDAY

Arts & Crafts

Brushbots: Junior technicians assemble robots from toothbrushes and tiny motors in this STEAM activity. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

Food

Champlain Island Farmers Market: See September 2.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See September 2.

Library & Books

Colchester Read to Hank the Therapy Dog: See September 2.

Little BOOM VT: See September 2.

Movies

Movie Matinee: See September 19.

Nature & Science

Programs for Preschoolers: See September 2.

Wagon-Ride Wednesdays: See September 2.

24 THURSDAY

Arts & Crafts

Webby’s Art Studio: See September 3.

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1.

Fairs & Festivals

Milton Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In: Enormous squash compete for the heaviest title. Milton Farmers Market, 4-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4922.

Library & Books

Colchester Lego Club: See September 10. PBS Kids at the Library: Younger viewers enjoy an animated episode, snacks and crafts. Sponsored by Vermont PBS. South Burlington Community Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.

Spanish Musical Kids: See September 3.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See September 10.

25 FRIDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Mother’s Gathering: See September 4.

Food

Five Corners Farmers Market: See September 4.

Foodways Fridays: See September 4. Richmond Farmers Market: See September 4.

Games

Dungeons & Dragons: See September 11.

Shelburne Orchards

SEPT CALENDAR

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See September 2.

Yoga with Danielle: See September 3.

Library & Books

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org.

Brownell Drop-in Story Time: See September 4.

Early Bird Math: See September 4.

Movies

Fourth Friday Family Film Night: Families enjoy a movie while eating their own snacks or the library’s. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 482-2878.

Music

Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See September 4.

26 SATURDAY

Arts & Crafts

Saturday Kids Drop-In Craft Class: See September 5.

Traditional Craft Saturdays: See September 5.

Webby’s Art Studio: See September 3.

Baby & Maternity

Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Education

Museum Day Live!: Nineteen historic sites and museums across the state open their doors to the public free of charge during this national event sponsored by Smithsonian magazine. Visit smithsonian.com/museumdaylive to search for participating locations. Various locations statewide, Free. Info, museumday@ si.edu.

Summer Naturalist Program: See September 5.

Fairs & Festivals

Bristol Harvest Festival: The fun commences with a pancake breakfast, bandstand music, horse-drawn wagon rides and a pie-eating contest. All ages. Bristol Town Green, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 453-5885.

Burke Fall Foliage Festival: Families fall in love with autumn during daylong festivities including a parade, rubber duck race, bounce houses, face painting, wagon rides, a farm animal petting zoo and an interactive reptile exhibit. All ages. Village Green, East Burke, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 626-4124.

Champlain Mini Maker Faire: Tech enthusiasts celebrate the DIY mindset at this quirky science fair featuring robotics, student experiments, arts and crafts, and more. Shelburne Farms, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $6-9; free for ages 10 and under. Info, 863-5956.

Forest Festival Weekend: Woods lovers explore the park’s history and ecology while enjoying horse-drawn wagon rides, woodworking and portable sawmill demonstrations, hikes with foresters, and wood crafts for kids. All ages. Marsh-Billings Rockefeller National Historical Park, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 457-3368.

Pittsford Harvest Fair: Handmade or home-grown is the theme in this outdoor festival. All ages. Pittsford Village Green, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 483-9972.

Food

Burlington Farmers Market: See September 5.

Capital City Farmers Market: See September 5.

Champlain Island Farmers Market: See September 5.

Chocolate-Bar Making: See September 5. Middlebury Farmers Market: See September 2.

Rutland Farmers Market: See September 5.

Shelburne Farmers Market: See September 5.

Health & Fitness

EvoKids Saturday Yoga: See September 19.

Library & Books

South Burlington Library Card Day: Young readers sign up for their first library card, scamper into a scavenger hunt and receive a book bag to decorate. Ages 5 and up. South Burlington Community Library, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.

Nature & Science

Archaeology Day: How did local people live in the past? This question is explored through pottery and tool-making demos, spear throwing, and a hands-on dig during this daylong celebration of humans. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Regular admission; $11-14, free for children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Bird-Monitoring Walk: Eagle-eyed participants bring binoculars to search the museum’s property for fluttering feathers. Best for adults and older children. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Free; donations welcome; preregister. Info, 434-2167.

Full Dome Planetarium: See September 5. Hayrides to the Pumpkin Patch: Families hitch a wagon ride to the pick-your-own field. Sam Mazza’s Farm Market, Colchester, 10 a.m.4 p.m. Free. Info, 655-3440.

Preschool Program: Itsy Bitsy Spiders: Wee ones and families investigate eight-legged creatures with Audubon Vermont. Ages 3 and up. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 482-2878.

Sam Mazza’s Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In: Oversize gourds battle it out for the heavyweight title. Onlookers enjoy hayrides, apple-cider doughnuts and a corn maze. Sam Mazza’s Farm Market, Colchester, noon-3 p.m. Free. Info, 655-3440.

Volunteer Work Day: People of all ages lend their helping hands to care for the museum and its grounds. Sandwiches provided. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 434-2167.

25 FRIDAY (CONTINUED)

vermont commons school, grades 6-12, south burlington, vt www.vermontcommons.org

27 SUNDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See September 1, 12:15-1:30 p.m.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 10-11:30 a.m.

community

Better L8 Than Never car show: Speed enthusiasts check out hundreds of cars. Live music, raffles, food and a flea market add to the action. All ages. Bristol Recreation Fields, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Donations to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta. Info, 388-7951.

dance

Auditions for ‘The Nutcracker’: Young ballerinas try out for a role in this magical holiday production. Ages 4-18. Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Burlington, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $15. Info, 253-5151.

Fairs & Festivals

19th-century Apple & Harvest Festival: Visitors churn ice cream, press cider, sample heirloom apples, play old-fashioned games and hike the Lookout Trail at this state historic site. All ages. Justin Morrill Homestead, Strafford Village, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $5-10 includes lunch. Info, 765-4288.

champlain mini maker Faire: See September 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Forest Festival Weekend: See September 26.

FTK Fall Family carnival: Families delight in a day of games, prizes and free food, and enjoy live performances and a bouncy house, all hosted by For the Kids, a Middlebury College organization founded to spread awareness about childhood illness and raise funds for the Vermont Children’s Hospital. Middlbury College, Forest Lawn, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 615-428-8157. shelburne orchards Pie Fest: Bakers enter their double-crust creations by 11:30 a.m. After judging, spectators’ forks dive in. Shelburne Orchards, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 864-7528.

Food

stowe Farmers market: See September 6.

Winooski Farmers market: See September 6.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See September 2, 1-2:30 p.m.

Nature & science

Full dome Planetarium: See September 5. Hayrides to the Pumpkin Patch: See September 26.

28 MONDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

chace mill Prenatal Barre: See September 7.

chace mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1. 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Pee Wee Pilates: See September 7.

Games

After-school Games: Gamers bring their own Magic, Pokémon or Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, or borrow a deck from the library. Snacks provided.

Grades 3 and up. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See September 2.

Library & Books

Burlington stories With megan: See September 14.

music

music for Preschoolers: See September 10, 11 a.m.

29 TUESDAY

Arts & crafts

Preschool Art: See September 8.

Baby & maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See September 1.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1.

chace mill Prenatal Yoga: See September 1.

montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See September 1.

Games

Gaming For Teens & Adults: See September 8.

Library & Books

Read to a dog: Pet-loving kiddos share books with registered therapy pooches. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-4918.

movies

Youth media Lab: See September 1.

music

children’s sing-Along: See September 1. Preschool music: See September 1.

30 WEDNESDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See September 1, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

Food

middlebury Farmers market: See September 2.

Woodstock market on the Green: See September 2.

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See September 2.

Library & Books

Book Bingo: Participants play games for prizes and get acquainted with new titles. Ages 8 and up. South Burlington Community Library, 3:15 p.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.

colchester Read to Hank the Therapy dog: See September 2.

Little Boom VT: See September 2.

Nature & science

Programs for Preschoolers: See September 2. Wagon-Ride Wednesdays: See September 2. K

BringtheKohl’s Kids bike smart

Backyard Cidery

THE WOODEN CIDER PRESS tucked into the corner of Hal Ellms’ and Sally Fox’s Middlesex garage comes out just once a year. It’s the centerpiece of the family’s annual backyard cider-making party in early October.

Thirty to 40 of their friends attend, bringing apples —anywhere from a bagful to a carload, some harvested from their own yards. They form an assembly line around the press. Kids and adults wash the apples, chop them in half, load them into the grinder and begin pressing cider. The peels stay on; they’re responsible for the cider’s zingy flavor.

Here’s how it works: The press sits atop a wooden frame, a few feet o the ground so a bucket fits underneath. Cider makers turn a hand-crank grinder to mash the halved apples. From there, the mash goes into a lidded wooden barrel, where someone squeezes out the juice using a hand-crank auger. Cider pours out of a hole at the bottom of the press, is strained through a sieve and collects in a stainless-steel pot.

Once the batch is done, the leftover mash is loaded into a wheelbarrow and dumped on a compost pile.

Ellms, who bought the used cider press 12 years ago,

estimates that the party produces 15 to 20 gallons of fresh apple cider for his family and friends to enjoy every year.

“It’s a lot of fun because it brings people together in a participatory fashion,” he says. because everyone gets to drink fresh cider on the spot — and take some home. Ellms and his family enjoy the sweet stu cold or warm with cinnamon; they reserve a few gallons for their freezer, too.

“A lot of people are amazed that that’s all cider is,” says Ellms. “They think of cider from the store and don’t realize it’s made from just squeezing the apples.”

• Used cider presses are often for sale in classified ads, at tag sales or in local bulletins. They typically range in price from $200 to $300; Hal Ellms scored his for $125.

• A wooden press doesn’t need much care, but it should be cleaned and moisturized with olive oil before it’s stored for the season.

• For a twist on traditional apple cider, try adding berries or pear slices to the apples before

Cider collects in a stainless-steel pot

Parents: Hal Ellms and Sally Fox Sons: Hayden, 14, and Bridger, 12

The press in action

In Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate, a canine teacher and her animal students prepare for the first day of school. What was your favorite thing about the first day of school? Write about it, then draw a picture that shows the best part of the day.

Whether you’re considering clear aligners, retainers or today’s braces, an orthodontist is the smart choice. Orthodontists are specialists in straightening teeth and aligning your bite. They have two to three years of education beyond dental school. So they’re experts at helping you get a great smile—that feels great, too.

PUZZLE PAGE

Jumble

BY DAVID L. HOYT & JEFF KNUREK

The letters of these crazy words are all mixed up. To play the game, put them back into the right order so that they make real words you can find in your dictionary. Write the letters of each real word under each crazy word, but only one letter to a square.

ASHA lives in Burlington and turns 8 on September 4. She loves swimming and ice cream. Minecraft is her favorite video game.

Asha wins a birthday-party package for up to 10 kids.

To enter, submit information using the online form at kidsvt.com/birthday-club.

Just give us your contact info, your children’s names and birth dates, and a photo, and they’re automatically enrolled.

You are now ready to solve this month’s Jumble For Kids. Study the picture for a hint. Then play around with the letters in the circles. You’ll find you can put them in order so that they make your funny answer.

Maze

Print

Puzzles4Kids

Riddle Search — Places to live

Search up, down and diagonally, both forward and backward to find every word on the list. Circle each one as you find it. When all the words are circled, take the UNUSED letters and write them on the blanks below. Read from left to right, top to bottom to answer this riddle: Where do supernatural creatures live?

APARTMENT BARN BUNGALOW CABIN CHALET CONDO CO-OP COTTAGE DORM

HIGH-RISE

BY HELENA HOVANEC

AVA lives in South Hero and turns 7 on September 5. She’s a funny, caring, adventurous and outgoing kid who loves to swim and dance. Her favorite subject in school is math.

Ava, Maryam and Riley each win a player’s pass.

MARYAM lives in Montpelier and turns 13 on September 14. She has a flair for fashion and design and is a voracious reader of novels. She also enjoys writing poetry, snowboarding and computer programming.

HUT IGLOO PALAZZO PENTHOUSE TENT TEPEE TRIPLEX VILLA Riddle Answer:

RILEY lives in Newport and turns 8 on September 19. She enjoys volunteering in her school’s garden, participating in obstacle races and spending time outside.

PIZZA • CAKES • LASER TAG ARCADE • BATTING CAGES BIRTHDAY CROWN OR TIARA

COLORING CONTEST!

Three winners will each receive a one-day pass to Petra Cliffs Send Kids VT your work of art by September 15. Be sure to include the info at right with your submission. Winners will be chosen in the following categories: (1) ages 5 and younger, (2) ages 6-8 and (3) ages 9-12. Winners will be named in the October issue of Kids VT. Send your high-resolution scans to art@kidsvt.com, or mail a copy to Kids VT, P.O. Box 1184, Burlington, VT 05402.

School Year’s Eve

Resolving to embrace the wild ride

WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I MOVED to Vermont from Oregon 12 years ago, it was impossible to miss the frenzy of summer. It felt like a starting gun went o on Memorial Day weekend; every car we passed was bungeed within an inch of its life with bikes, grills and canoes. And that was before our kids, Walker, 11, and Hawthorne, 9, were born.

Late August is like the December of summer: So much to do, so little time, but how can you say no to anything? Responsibilities slide and hangovers (literal, emotional and professional) abound. So inevitably we make promises as the clock strikes midnight before the first day of school. I call them School Year Resolutions.

Last August I resolved to learn how to cook, a resolution I make every school year despite the fact that cooking is my straight up idea of hell. I resolved to take a break from all screens from the time my kids walked in the door from school until I made yet another horrible dinner. I resolved to work out. How many years have I made this promise to myself? How long ago was 1996, again?

The list stretched to an infinity point on the horizon, and it all added up to this: We will be better this year. We will slice through the week like a hot knife through butter. We’ll make it to Thursday, at least, before we wash up on the shores of Pizza Night yet again.

But those annual promises — just like most New Year’s resolutions — are often left in the dust within weeks. Months later, as the end of the school year approached, I was fully prepared to accept that I had failed. Again. But the experience I had with my actual New Year’s resolutions changed my mind.

I made about a dozen of them and wrote them down, determined. Did I fulfill all of them? Nope. But the ones I did stick to had a profound e ect on my year. I resolved to focus on my personal writing for the first time in two decades. And that one resolution sprouted a bunch of specific sub-resolutions. The results? My work was published on McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Hu ngton Post and Medium; one piece, “How to Talk to Your Kids About Bernie Sanders,” went viral; and with a good friend I launched a new parenting humor site, RAZED. The New Year’s resolutions I didn’t uphold — and there were many — were a lot easier to let go of in the face of that success.

With that spirit of high fiving myself for what I had achieved (and letting go of what I hadn’t), I looked back at my School Year Resolutions.

Learn to cook? Unrealistically ambitious much? But I did get clued into a couple of simple dinner ideas that made me feel like a legit mother who occasionally cooks for her kids instead of just being the O cial Opener of the Box of Mac and Cheese.

Work out and look like a bikini model by June? Er, negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full. Six years into freelancing, I let the expectation of working out during my kid-free days die for good. Despite having more energy in the morning than I have at night, I forced myself to head out the door to exercise once my husband returned home. Did I 100 percent drop it once summer started because, well, summer? You bet. But I know I’ll get back to it once school starts because I finally figured out what works for me (and my work).

Did I take a three-hour screen break every afternoon? Yes and no. Once the year was rolling, my kids were busier than I was — with homework, piano practice, reading, chores. And that would have made my sitting around, staring at them with an expectant expression, kind of weird. Those times were perfect for responding to emails, invoicing, phone calls — the miscellaneous duties of a freelancer.

When we could swing it, we took o for the beach in early September, went for long drives, and picked sunflowers and raspberries. As the weather cooled, we hit apple orchards and stu ed our faces with cider doughnuts. In other words, when we could, we’d carpe the heck out of those diems.

As I work on my list of resolutions for this school year, there’s one I’ll be making for sure. It’s to feel grateful for the frenzy. To know that it won’t always be like this, life bursting with the mechanics of running a young family. To settle in, knowing half of my kids’ years at home are already behind us. There are only so many summers left for School Year Resolutions.

So, together, let’s resolve to embrace the wild ride. To make it a year to jump in, to feel like we’re good at something, to cut loose what makes us feel like we’re failing. To appreciate that the school year always goes by faster than we think, even though in February it feels like time starts to move in reverse.

Let’s make it a year to respect work, because without it there wouldn’t be any money for all of that summer stu . A year to keep trying, to celebrate the small victories, to be ok with ok. And finally, a year that we’ll all look back on next June and say, “Hey, not too shabby.”

We’ll make it to Thursday, at least, before we wash up on the shores of Pizza Night yet again.